Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Match Threads & Player Ratings => Topic started by: Legion on July 28, 2013, 06:39:32 PM
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Wednesday 31.7.13 7:30pm KO
0-4 Away win
Benteke 1, 2, 3, 4 then he gets substituted.
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I'm going to go out on a limb and say we won't keep a clean sheet. 3-1. Benteke, Bacuna and Gabby.
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4 1 away win. Gabby double, Benteke and Luna. Walsall to score 92nd minute.
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4 1 away win. Gabby double, Benteke and Luna. Walsall to score 92nd minute.
Ah yes, but from which side of the pitch shall The Saddlers take that cornalty?
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Are you going Leeg ?
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No mate. Having two weeks in the sun.
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14-1 to us
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Looking forward to this one, hopefully some of our new signings are fit to play.
Walsall had an excellent season in league 1 last time out and pass the ball impressively. Trouble is they've lost their front three who were excellent Paterson (Forest), Grigg (Brentford) and Brandy (Sheffield) so not sure they'll be as fluid with the new forward line. We still won't keep a clean sheet!
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3-1 to the Villa
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No mate. Having two weeks in the sun.
Cue the erupting volcanoes or at least an air traffic control strike
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No mate. Having two weeks in the sun.
Page 3 modelling or phone hacking?
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4-1 Villa.
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My first pre-season this year so a good performance, win and clean sheet will do!
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0-3 please let it be a clean sheet.
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No mate. Having two weeks in the sun.
Page 3 modelling or phone hacking?
Moderating in the sun should be banned.
I always imagine moderators with leg irons on, in a dark room, with no friends, being force fed pickled onion Monster munch, no water, bright lights shining in their faces, with their bollocks dipped in peanut butter, surrounded by squirrels wearing napkins.
Just me then ?
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You are quite correct about me having no friends. The rest sounds delicious.
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No mate. Having two weeks in the sun.
Page 3 modelling or phone hacking?
Moderating in the sun should be banned.
I always imagine moderators with leg irons on, in a dark room, with no friends, being force fed pickled onion Monster munch, no water, bright lights shining in their faces, with their bollocks dipped in peanut butter, surrounded by squirrels wearing napkins.
Just me then ?
When was the last time the squirrels had been fed?
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You are quite correct about me having no friends. The rest sounds delicious.
I'm your special friend Legion.
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Them 5 Us 24
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You are quite correct about me having no friends. The rest sounds delicious.
You just like peanut butter to much , don't you ? And squirrels ?
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I love you too. Aswell as UKR. Plus anyone else that stops me and buys one.
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New sun cream has just hit the shops. It's called the Legion Factor 50. Guaranteed sun burn, broken toe and piles. ;)
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We really should go all out to win this one but I think we might struggle like we often do against Walsall. Still can't forget that 3-0 league defeat of 70-71.
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Walsall 11 us 10. All of their goals coming from corners.
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Can`t wait to have "orange chips" 1-4 Helinuis 2 Luna Bacuna. Calamitous mistake between Vlaar and Clark resulting in Vlaar screaming dutch swear words never heard on AVTV before !!
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Legion sponsored squirrels 5, Peanut butter 1.
He likes squirrels.
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They can clearly see ur nuts.
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Was talking to a Walsall supporting pal yesterday, they played a 'behind closed doors' friendly yesterday so expects to see them play their first XI for 45 minutes at most as they start their league campaign on Saturday.
This really is only about generating a few quid for Walsall and giving our starting XI 60/70 minutes
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them 1, us several
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It will be interesting to see at what point we start playing people for 90 minutes. Obviously, we've gone from 45 minutes to 60 minutes so I'm assuming the next progression will go straight to 90 minutes.
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They will score at least one.
We will score more than them.
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Legion's not going? I predict the second coming of Christ.
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4-1. Benteke with 2,gabby and weimann scoring the other 2
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Would love a good solid 3-0.
Looking at the pre season results of other sides, I do find myself asking why we don't play more top class sides in pre-season. It's literally one top flight side
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I predict Lee Hendrie will get into an argument with some Villa fans and volley the ball into them.
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5 nil to us.
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I predict Lee Hendrie will get into an argument with some Villa fans and volley the ball into them.
Ha ha I remember that well as I was just a few feet away. And what he said to the Villa fans was a disgrace, despite his denials.
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Legion's not going? I predict the second coming of Christ.
Leeg not going?
Cue for a Villa goal fest.
Christ will appear, score a hat-trick, and we'll extend his contract! ;-)
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I predict Lee Hendrie will get into an argument with some Villa fans and volley the ball into them.
Ha ha I remember that well as I was just a few feet away. And what he said to the Villa fans was a disgrace, despite his denials.
What did he say?
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I predict the game will be abandoned on the hour due to low flying albatross.
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I predict the game will be abandoned on the hour due to low flying albatross.
Lee Hendrie said that?
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I predict Lee Hendrie will get into an argument with some Villa fans and volley the ball into them.
Ha ha I remember that well as I was just a few feet away. And what he said to the Villa fans was a disgrace, despite his denials.
What did he say?
"Suck my c***". He said it 2 or 3 times, whilst pointing to his nether regions, just to make it perfectly clear.
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It will be interesting to see at what point we start playing people for 90 minutes. Obviously, we've gone from 45 minutes to 60 minutes so I'm assuming the next progression will go straight to 90 minutes.
Would think it will be the Malaga game.
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I predict Lee Hendrie will get into an argument with some Villa fans and volley the ball into them.
Ha ha I remember that well as I was just a few feet away. And what he said to the Villa fans was a disgrace, despite his denials.
What did he say?
"Suck my c***". He said it 2 or 3 times, whilst pointing to his nether regions, just to make it perfectly clear.
Was that against Tamworth when Gabby scored as a sub when he was about 14 and a half or was that a different incident?
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I predict Lee Hendrie will get into an argument with some Villa fans and volley the ball into them.
Ha ha I remember that well as I was just a few feet away. And what he said to the Villa fans was a disgrace, despite his denials.
What did he say?
"Suck my c***". He said it 2 or 3 times, whilst pointing to his nether regions, just to make it perfectly clear.
Was that against Tamworth when Gabby scored as a sub when he was about 14 and a half or was that a different incident?
Different. He got sent off at Tamworth.
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I predict Lee Hendrie will get into an argument with some Villa fans and volley the ball into them.
Ha ha I remember that well as I was just a few feet away. And what he said to the Villa fans was a disgrace, despite his denials.
What did he say?
"Suck my c***". He said it 2 or 3 times, whilst pointing to his nether regions, just to make it perfectly clear.
Was that against Tamworth when Gabby scored as a sub when he was about 14 and a half or was that a different incident?
Different. He got sent off at Tamworth.
Ah yes - started a fairly major ruck very late on with a terrible and unecessary challenge.
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I reckon 3-1, same score as the last time we went down there. If I remember right Heskey was playing outwide on the left and genuinely tore it up.
Weimann, Benteke, and Tonev (assuming he plays) to score.
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My first pre-season and hoping Okore will be fit, as well as taking a look at the other signings.
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Was planning on going to this but it's crept up on me and you can't buy tickets from the Villa anymore.
Does anyone know what the chances are of getting one on the night in the Walsall end?
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Was planning on going to this but it's crept up on me and you can't buy tickets from the Villa anymore.
Does anyone know what the chances are of getting one on the night in the Walsall end?
check the Walsall site apparently they have tickets for villa fans
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Is it ticket only? I'm not 100% sure I can get there, so pay on the door would be preferable
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Cheers, will give them a call tomorrow as their e-ticket page isn't working.
Number is 01922-651 414/416 for anyone wondering.
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I have 1 adult and 1 kids ticket in the villa end if anyone's interested .
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Where's everyone for this? I'm in the far left bit of the Villa end. Pretty sure that's where most of our noise was coming from last time.
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Where's everyone for this? I'm in the far left bit of the Villa end. Pretty sure that's where most of our noise was coming from last time.
I recall there was a chant of 'Can you hear the left side sing?' last time, so it was definitely the hardcore in the end stand that were noisier. I was in there, naturally.
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Was planning on going to this but it's crept up on me and you can't buy tickets from the Villa anymore.
Does anyone know what the chances are of getting one on the night in the Walsall end?
I checked this out last Friday tickets available until 1pm Wednesday from villa park
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Any idea of how many have been allocated as of yet...
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Any idea of how many have been allocated as of yet...
3549 and it's sold out
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I predict Lee Hendrie will get into an argument with some Villa fans and volley the ball into them.
Ha ha I remember that well as I was just a few feet away. And what he said to the Villa fans was a disgrace, despite his denials.
No worse than what was shouted at him, I imagine.
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I predict Lee Hendrie will get into an argument with some Villa fans and volley the ball into them.
Ha ha I remember that well as I was just a few feet away. And what he said to the Villa fans was a disgrace, despite his denials.
No worse than what was shouted at him, I imagine.
No matter what else happens in football you can always predict the outcome when a player has a go at fans. Day one - the incident. Day two - calls for him to be sold/sacked/shot. Day three - the defence begins: "They were shouting at him first." Day four - "What they were saying was disgusting, he was right to respond. It's the same ones who always do it to him, I've seen them before." Day five - the player is now a hero of free speech and liberty.
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Any idea of how many have been allocated as of yet...
3549 and it's sold out
On the OS it says we had 1,630.
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So has it sold out? I'll just pay in the Walsall end then if I can make it
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So has it sold out? I'll just pay in the Walsall end then if I can make it
Not on the OS as sold out yet, but word on the street is we have sold all of our tickets.
(http://images.wikia.com/uncyclopedia/images/3/3c/HuggyBear.jpg)
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Is it ticket only? I'm not 100% sure I can get there, so pay on the door would be preferable
Called Walsall yesterday and it is pay on the door, but in the home areas. I went down there yesterday and got two tickets in the away section.
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Is it ticket only? I'm not 100% sure I can get there, so pay on the door would be preferable
Called Walsall yesterday and it is pay on the door, but in the home areas. I went down there yesterday and got two tickets in the away section.
Aston Villa WMPolice @WMPVillaFC 31m
#avfc #utv Tomorrows Pre-Season Friendly @ Walsall is all ticket and they have all now sold out, there will be no cash turnstiles on the day
Dunno if that means no cash turnstiles anywhere
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5pm in the King George V pub, Wallows Lane (opposite Morrisons) for a sharp pre-match drink anyone? Only a 5 minute walk to the ground then ;)
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Any idea of how many have been allocated as of yet...
3549 and it's sold out
On the OS it says we had 1,630.
This was on today's bulletin . That must have been the initial allocation
Walsall v Villa
Pre-season friendly
Wednesday July 31 - 7.30pm
Banks's Stadium
Ticket Allocation: 3,500
Prices: £12 [adults], £5 [O60s], £6 [U18s]
Please note this is NOT an Away Scheme fixture. The deadline for sales for this fixture is 5pm on Friday July 26. After this period, it will not be possible to purchase tickets from Villa Park. The sales criteria outlined applies to all tickets including disabled/wheelchair.
CURRENTLY: On sale to supporters with booking history*
*One ticket per client reference. Remember to supply one client reference per seat to build up booking history
Buy info: hotline 0800 612 0970, in person at Villa Village or New Street or from online box office .
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I have just bought two online to pick up on the night, stand near to our end
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I predict Lee Hendrie will get into an argument with some Villa fans and volley the ball into them.
Ha ha I remember that well as I was just a few feet away. And what he said to the Villa fans was a disgrace, despite his denials.
No worse than what was shouted at him, I imagine.
No matter what else happens in football you can always predict the outcome when a player has a go at fans. Day one - the incident. Day two - calls for him to be sold/sacked/shot. Day three - the defence begins: "They were shouting at him first." Day four - "What they were saying was disgusting, he was right to respond. It's the same ones who always do it to him, I've seen them before." Day five - the player is now a hero of free speech and liberty.
I think in the case of the little one, everyone knows/knew he was a hothead and not of temperate temperament. So being appalled at his reactions to getting a few verbals would be naive.
Anyway, after seeing him on Clarke Carlisle's recent programme on depression in football and Hendrie's continued participation with the Old Stars team, it's good to see that he has some humility about him these days.
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Indeed. I was about to launch a whole paragraph on the virtues of Li'l Lee but probably completely off topic for the Walsall thread....
I think we'll be defending the little scamp for years to come eamonn.
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5pm in the King George V pub, Wallows Lane (opposite Morrisons) for a sharp pre-match drink anyone? Only a 5 minute walk to the ground then ;)
Great pub full of Villa.
I'll avoid it.
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Home areas are pay on the gate.
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Really hoping Tonev and Okore are fit, haven't had a chance to get a proper look at them yet.
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I predict Lee Hendrie will get into an argument with some Villa fans and volley the ball into them.
Ha ha I remember that well as I was just a few feet away. And what he said to the Villa fans was a disgrace, despite his denials.
No worse than what was shouted at him, I imagine.
No matter what else happens in football you can always predict the outcome when a player has a go at fans. Day one - the incident. Day two - calls for him to be sold/sacked/shot. Day three - the defence begins: "They were shouting at him first." Day four - "What they were saying was disgusting, he was right to respond. It's the same ones who always do it to him, I've seen them before." Day five - the player is now a hero of free speech and liberty.
I think in the case of the little one, everyone knows/knew he was a hothead and not of temperate temperament. So being appalled at his reactions to getting a few verbals would be naive.
Anyway, after seeing him on Clarke Carlisle's recent programme on depression in football and Hendrie's continued participation with the Old Stars team, it's good to see that he has some humility about him these days.
I missed him on that programme, how did he come over ?
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Where are people frequenting for a pre match sherbet?
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Can anyone advise what the parkings like near the ground? What sort of overall attendance is likely tonight? 8k ?
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Most people usually park on the retail estate next to the ground; there's always plenty of space but getting off at the end is a trial.
Was talking to the groundsman last night; he reckons the pitch has been mown that many times the markings have completely disappeared. The whole process of sorting it means he has to walk five miles in the piss rain today.
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As it's their 125th anniversary game there's going to be some presentations and I believe that various Walsall legends will be on the pitch at half-time, including Ray Graydon and Chris Nicholl.
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A Graydon penalty and a Nicholl own goal should settle it then!
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Walsall 1-0 Villa.
Header from a corner
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Will the Saddlers be ok to drink before hand? Anyone know what time it opens?
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5pm in the King George V pub, Wallows Lane (opposite Morrisons) for a sharp pre-match drink anyone? Only a 5 minute walk to the ground then ;)
Great pub full of Villa.
I'll avoid it.
I would probably avoid the town centre. Just been out to get my lunch and there are already two police vans parked by bus station and the civic square. They may prevent Villa fans from drinking around those spots?
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5pm in the King George V pub, Wallows Lane (opposite Morrisons) for a sharp pre-match drink anyone? Only a 5 minute walk to the ground then ;)
Great pub full of Villa.
I'll avoid it.
I would probably avoid the town centre. Just been out to get my lunch and there are already two police vans parked by bus station and the civic square. They may prevent Villa fans from drinking around those spots?
Surely that can't be because of the match.
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5pm in the King George V pub, Wallows Lane (opposite Morrisons) for a sharp pre-match drink anyone? Only a 5 minute walk to the ground then ;)
Great pub full of Villa.
I'll avoid it.
I would probably avoid the town centre. Just been out to get my lunch and there are already two police vans parked by bus station and the civic square. They may prevent Villa fans from drinking around those spots?
Surely that can't be because of the match.
Nothing else going on out there, so one can only assume.
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Walsall is full of pissheads and anti-social behaviour. The police are there because of that, no because people are arriving from ten miles down the road for a pre-season friendly.
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Walsall is full of pissheads and anti-social behaviour.
Ha ha, that should be their town motto thing.
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I learned to read when Chris Nicholl was still a Villa player. For a few years after I thought Nicholl OG was his full surname.
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I doubt more than a handful of our supporters will be promenading the boulevards of Walsall. It must be for something else.
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Does Walsall bus station still have the Black Diana statue? I haven't been there for years.
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Walsall Football Club have advised us that, on police instruction, no further tickets can be made available to Villa fans this evening.
Tickets will only be made available to Saddlers fans with a past booking history.
Villa supporters without tickets are urged not to turn up tonight as they will not be able to gain admission to the stadium.
If you would like to see the game - and you're an AVTV subscriber - the match will be screened live tonight.
The match kicks-off at 7.30pm, with live pictures coming to us on AVTV from around 7.15pm.
Log-on to AVTV to be able to watch the match.
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I've jumped straight to page 6 so unaware it it has already been mentioned but any news on Okore, Tonev etc?
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The Black Diana, I believe, was bought by a funeral parlour in Bloxwich. The stone hippo is still here, across the square from the Milennium Fountain which is too expensive to run.
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Good job I go to watch Walsall 4-5 times a season so can just pay on the gate.
Does seem a bit heavy handed to me, did it kick off last time we played them as I didn't go in 2011?
We've taken over two stands in previous games and I'm sure there's been no problem paying on the night.
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This is the first one I've missed in a few years. I'll go 1-3. Weimann, Benteke and Gabby.
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Steer, Vlaar, Baker, Bacuna, El Ahmadi, Luna, Delph, Benteke, Burke, Weimann, Agbonlahor
Subs - Guzan, Lowton, Clark, Helenius, Westwood, Sylla, Herd, Donacien, Gardner, Carruthers, Grealish
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Anyone else sat on the A34 car park ?
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Disappointing there is no Tonev or Okore. Hope their knocks aren't too bad.
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I hope to see Grealish in the second half.
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Disappointing there is no Tonev or Okore. Hope their knocks aren't too bad.
I think Lambert said they were coming along well and would hopefully be available in Ireland.
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Is AVTV the only option? :-\
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Yes.
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Cheers, will have to look for radio then.
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We have pictures.
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Captain Jack speaks. Exciting ay it.
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Until it breaks down again.
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Nice to see the fat lads enjoying a pie.
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Four forwards on the pitch. Interesting. Wonder how we're gonna line up.
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Is it 7.30 ko or 7.45?
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Is it 7.30 ko or 7.45?
7.30. Running late. Faulkner out!
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Shit on the Saddlers, shit on the Saddlers tonight.
Am I the only one who doesn't particularly like Walsall?
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I went to see them once when in the area on a weekend when we were away and keep an eye out for their results. Their manager is a Villa fan and half daft.
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Nice move, good pass from Gabby, Andi should have hit it earlier.
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Andi! Got to score!
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'If he'd been 5 yards further out the free kick may have dipped under the bar'. Breathtaking analysis from Jack
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'If he'd been 5 yards further out the free kick may have dipped under the bar'. Breathtaking analysis from Jack
At least he made not of the "banter".
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Ugh, Woodward. Fine in print, but he cannot, cannot, cope with live stuff. Someone new please
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DELPH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Delph! Great shot
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And that is why I reckon he will score a few for us this season.
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a real turf trimmer
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Fabian Delph picks up the ball in midfield, moves towards goal and finds the bottom corner with a rasping low drive from around 20-yards.
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Lets hope that gives him the confidence to do it during the season. He used to do it at Leeds.
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Does Delph have a song? I can't remember hearing one.
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Today is clean sheet day :o
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he's really come on has our Fabian
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Today is clean sheet day :o
there's always one prick out there who is intent on jinxing things. Only kidding murfee but you know you're going to take it in the nexk when we concede later in the game.
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Damnit. They just showed the goal on SSN but I missed it.
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How is 2013 is the picture quality so poor...
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Might as well have SSN on in the background. At least they're showing all the goals in HD.
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Gabby looking decent.
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Damnit. They just showed the goal on SSN but I missed it.
Don't worry. I'm at wqork but consoling myself with the knowledge that they'll be repeating it until about eleven tomorrow morning.
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Today is clean sheet day :o
Doing the laundry are we?
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So, looks like we're still doing the 19th minute.
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Today is clean sheet day :o
there's always one prick out there who is intent on jinxing things. Only kidding murfee but you know you're going to take it in the nexk when we concede later in the game.
8)
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Does Delph have a song? I can't remember hearing one.
Something about how he used to be shite but now he's better than alright, in fact he's looking quite good?
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Great try by Gabby
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So, looks like we're still doing the 19th minute.
Really? Personally, I think it's time we stopped, but that's just me.
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So, looks like we're still doing the 19th minute.
Yep and Jack saying how good it is to hear the applause for a Villa legend, not for Stan overcoming a life threatening illness. Personally think it should stop now, brilliant as it was last season, but Stan is living a fairly normal life now. How many years do they think it should go on for?
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So, looks like we're still doing the 19th minute.
Really? Personally, I think it's time we stopped, but that's just me.
I'm in favour of it stopping now as well.
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Does Delph have a song? I can't remember hearing one.
Rhyming with self, elf and shelf makes it tricky. Fab offers more potential.
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Tend to agree. Now that Stan's in remission I think the applause should have been 'retired' along with his shirt
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So, looks like we're still doing the 19th minute.
Really? Personally, I think it's time we stopped, but that's just me.
No not just you
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Well I don't think KEA is the answer as to who should be on set-pieces this season.
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So, looks like we're still doing the 19th minute.
Really? Personally, I think it's time we stopped, but that's just me.
I'm in favour of it stopping now as well.
And me.
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So, looks like we're still doing the 19th minute.
Really? Personally, I think it's time we stopped, but that's just me.
I'm in favour of it stopping now as well.
And me.
I think Stan is in agreement too.
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So, looks like we're still doing the 19th minute.
Really? Personally, I think it's time we stopped, but that's just me.
I'm in favour of it stopping now as well.
And me.
me too, but how can it be stopped outside of a request from Stan or the club? If it comes from the club you know how some people will spin it. And even then will people all agree to it and carry on with it?
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@MatKendrick: "Tony, Tony Moon' chant the Villa fans to the Daddy Cool song which used to belong to Salifou
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Probably only Stan could stop it. Us saying isn't going to make any difference.
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Fantastic from Gabby. 2-0
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Fantastic goal by Gabby
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What a goal!!!!
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Gabby Agbonlahor bursts into the box and slots his effort underneath the keeper.
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Benteke off the bar. Great work by Delph in the build-up
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What an effort from Benteke.
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So, looks like we're still doing the 19th minute.
Really? Personally, I think it's time we stopped, but that's just me.
and me.
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We're hotting up.
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How is that not a penalty?
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Should have had a pen there
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Benteke off the bar. Great work by Delph in the build-up
Noticed that Delph is passing the ball using his right foot a lot more. Makes him a better player and gives the opposition something to think about than when he was all left footed.
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Bacuna down injured
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That front line is going to give a lot of teams a nightmare. If only we can figure out the defensive side we could be in for a rather decent season.
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I had this dream, Jack Woodward at the end of the game announcing (in an Alan Partridge voice)...... "Our sheet is clean, yours is dirty "
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That front line is going to give a lot of teams a nightmare. If only we can figure out the defensive side we could be in for a rather decent season.
I can see us going the full season without a 0-0. I also think it's going to be a lot of fun watching us. And terrifying at times.
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It's easy to forget how young Delph still is.
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Should have been punished for comedy defending
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Jack shows he is a man of the people as he suggests people are off for a half-time cup of green tea.
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That's just the water in Walsall
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I wasn't sure if he said green tea or cream tea ?
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I wasn't sure if he said green tea or cream tea ?
Sounded like green tea to me. Maybe it's just a normal cup of tea that is angry?
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I like Tony Moon - hes like a beardy, left footed Lowton
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How we looking defensively ?
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Half time oranges, bovril and green tea.
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How we looking defensively ?
Not had much to deal with tbh. One cock-up between Steer and Baker nearly cost us
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How we looking defensively ?
Haven't had to do too much, but the little defending we've done we've tried to feck it up.
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So, looks like we're still doing the 19th minute.
Really? Personally, I think it's time we stopped, but that's just me.
I'm in favour of it stopping now as well.
So am I.
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Should be a clean sheet tonight then, with Clark to steady ship 2nd half. :o
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ho ho
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Nice shots of Stan in with the Villa fans tonight.
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Is that Stan in with the fans having pictures taken?
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Haha, The Gladiator is on. So that is him, Gabby, Benteke and Weimann on the pitch. I wouldn't fancy being a Walsall defender right now.
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Weimann, Benteke, Agbonlahor and Helenius up front!
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Haha, The Gladiator is on. So that is him, Gabby, Benteke and Weimann on the pitch. I wouldn't fancy being a Walsall defender right now.
After McLeish's 4-6-0 lineup, Lambert's gone to the other extreme
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Is the Gladiator playing behind the established front three in a number type position?
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Second half line-up: Guzan, Lowton, Clark, Helenius, Agbonlahor, Westwood, Luna, Sylla, Benteke, Weimann, Herd.
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Whilst that sort of formation is fun, can we realistically learn anything?
Yours,
Grumpy from Streatham.
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Whilst that sort of formation is fun, can we realistically learn anything?
Yours,
Grumpy from Streatham.
Do we learn much anyway from beating Walsall?
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Whilst that sort of formation is fun, can we realistically learn anything?
Yours,
Grumpy from Streatham.
I guess the same could be said about playing Walsall. Good for fitness, not much else.
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3-0. Eat my goal.
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That was a great move
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What a move, what a goal
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That was a great move
Liquid football.
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Helenius - that number 10 we were looking for?
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Clean sheet please, Villa! We can do it!
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I'm getting a semi watching some the stuff we play.
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Bloody hell. What got into gabby? Playing great.
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Helenius - that number 10 we were looking for?
He reminds me of Edin Dzeko
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That was a great move
just this sentence is something we have all wanted a lot more of for many years. It happened at times under MON (away from home rather than at VP), sometimes under GH and with the exception of 90 unbelieveable minutes at Chelsea, never under TSM. We are going to be seeing a lot of it under Lambert.
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That should have a Walsall goal.
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Walsall should have scored there
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Yet again a cross allowed to go right across the face of the goal and a dreadful miss by walsall
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Three goals to the good, heading for a clean sheet and it looks like traffic is moving freely on the M6.
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Three goals to the good, heading for a clean sheet and it looks like traffic is moving freely on the M6.
haven't we had this conversation already?
Now I expect the FA to rule out all three goals mysteriously tomorrow, Walsall to score twice and the M6 to have a pile up. Thanks a lot
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The camera operator seems to have thing about Tony Moon
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Is this live on any radio stations?
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Three goals to the good, heading for a clean sheet and it looks like traffic is moving freely on the M6.
haven't we had this conversation already?
We have. Every time Mr Lochhead mentions a clean sheet on a Match thread, the opposition score.
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How fucking long was that pass from Westwood. Back left pitch to front right, pin point. Amazing.
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Benteke hasn't scored has he? Looks like he's gone soft from the new deal he just signed. Faulkner out!
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Benteke hasn't scored has he? Looks like he's gone soft from the new deal he just signed. Faulkner out!
He scored the third.
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Benteke hasn't scored has he? Looks like he's gone soft from the new deal he just signed. Faulkner out!
Benteke has scored.
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4-0 Grealish. Another nice goal.
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Benteke hasn't scored has he? Looks like he's gone soft from the new deal he just signed. Faulkner out!
Er.. yes he has
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Freakish !!!
(Only Mr Shin will get that one)
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Freakish !!!
(Only Mr Shin will get that one)
No spell checker on then Mr Sox?
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Twat with a smoke bomb !
There was one of them at Luton too.
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Bloody hell. What got into gabby? Playing great.
For the benefit of those not watch, does that mean Gabby is playing great or everyone but gabby?
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Bloody hell. What got into gabby? Playing great.
For the benefit of those not watch, does that mean Gabby is playing great or everyone but gabby?
He was very good.
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Benteke hasn't scored has he? Looks like he's gone soft from the new deal he just signed. Faulkner out!
He scored the third.
see pricks like me are still at work and having to follow this game via this thread on a Blackberry with a poxy little screen. I thought that Helenius might have scored the third because none of you lot actually said who scored it. Now I feel like a massive tool, or relatively speaking a bigger tool than I'm accustomed to feeling. Some mates you lot turned out to be.
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Bloody hell. What got into gabby? Playing great.
For the benefit of those not watch, does that mean Gabby is playing great or everyone but gabby?
Gabby was playing particularly well. When i commented he had run around half the Walsall team from center to right. Amazing.
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Benteke hasn't scored has he? Looks like he's gone soft from the new deal he just signed. Faulkner out!
He scored the third.
see pricks like me are still at work and having to follow this game via this thread on a Blackberry with a poxy little screen. I thought that Helenius had scored the thread because none of you lot actually said who scored it. Now I feel like a massive tool, or relatively speaking a bigger tool than I'm accustomed to feeling. Some mates you lot turned out to be.
It's not as bad as the Newport thread when people kept saying the score, but not saying which team to.
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See lads, I told you not let him know who scored and he'd end up making a prat of himself.
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Benteke hasn't scored has he? Looks like he's gone soft from the new deal he just signed. Faulkner out!
He scored the third.
see pricks like me are still at work and having to follow this game via this thread on a Blackberry with a poxy little screen. I thought that Helenius had scored the thread because none of you lot actually said who scored it. Now I feel like a massive tool, or relatively speaking a bigger tool than I'm accustomed to feeling. Some mates you lot turned out to be.
It's not as bad as the Newport thread when people kept saying the score, but not saying which team to.
yeh, for a bit I thought this is alright because we we were winning 4-2. I hadn't heard of most of the players on either side, so who knew we were getting a kicking.
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I hear Alan Partridge is promoting his new movie by commentating on AVTV. "anyone at home thinking of throwing flares, just don't!"
what a dick
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Bloody hell. What got into gabby? Playing great.
For the benefit of those not watch, does that mean Gabby is playing great or everyone but gabby?
By all accounts Gabby is having an incredible game. I never understand why some are so surprised. Eh, Ciggie?
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Boyhood Villa fan Jack Grealish races on to a Helenius pass to score his first senior goal
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Carruthers, in the three matches I've seen, has really impressed me even compared to a lot of the other younger players & new signings - his movement, first touch and vision are excellent, and it's really promising to see us producing a young player with those qualities. Would love to see him get more of a chance this season, maybe even off Benteke between Gabs+Weimann.
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See lads, I told you not let him know who scored and he'd end up making a prat of himself.
It's dark in my world and I come here to glimpse the light. And you mock me for it.
Hold on that sounds a lot like eastie's world
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Syalla is STYLING tonight. Flicks, backheels, workrate. he is loving this.
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Has Donacien come on for Herd?
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Just 16 minutes against a bunch of League One losers to see out until we break that 34 game no-clean-sheet thing.
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I hear Alan Partridge is promoting his new movie by commentating on AVTV. "anyone at home thinking of throwing flares, just don't!"
what a dick
Too late. I've just thrown one and now the Mrs can't watch Corrie. Even though I can't see her, I can feel her glower through the thick red smoke.
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Good to see that Legion's plan has worked
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Just 16 minutes against a bunch of League One losers to see out until we break that 34 game no-clean-sheet thing.
No chance.
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Good to see that Legion's plan has worked
We'll win the league if we ban him from watching us.
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Just 16 minutes against a bunch of League One losers to see out until we break that 34 game no-clean-sheet thing.
No chance.
I am not optimistic.
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Good to see that Legion's plan has worked
We'll win the league if we ban him from watching us.
I hope we score at least 5 tonight because he'll really start to believe he's been the problem all along.
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When was the last time we kept a clean sheet?
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Is it just me or does Gardner look very slow?
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When was the last time we kept a clean sheet?
Was it the Swansea 2-0 at home?
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Either 1-0 at Sunderland or 0-0 vs Stoke.
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Benteke hasn't scored has he? Looks like he's gone soft from the new deal he just signed. Faulkner out!
He scored the third.
see pricks like me are still at work and having to follow this game via this thread on a Blackberry with a poxy little screen. I thought that Helenius might have scored the third because none of you lot actually said who scored it. Now I feel like a massive tool, or relatively speaking a bigger tool than I'm accustomed to feeling. Some mates you lot turned out to be.
We're not your mates. Think of us as a hypercritical mother
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When was the last time we kept a clean sheet?
Was it the Swansea 2-0 at home?
Stoke at home. 33 games without a clean sheet. Including friendlies.
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Is it just me or does Gardner look very slow?
He hasn't impressed this preseason at all
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Didn't we have a 0-0 with Arsenal around December?
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The stoke game I think, at home anyway.
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When was the last time we kept a clean sheet?
Was it the Swansea 2-0 at home?
Stoke at home I think, 0-0 draw
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8 minutes to go....I'm putting the washing powder in the tray and sorting out the Lenor.
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When was the last time we kept a clean sheet?
Was it the Swansea 2-0 at home?
Stoke at home. 33 games without a clean sheet. Including friendlies.
Jesus. That really is something we need to address.
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Didn't we have a 0-0 with Arsenal around December?
We had 3 in a row at home. Arse, Reading and Stoke. And then none home or away since Stoke.
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Is it just me or does Gardner look very slow?
He hasn't impressed this preseason at all
Agreed he has been really poor. I hope it is just the lad hasnt played football for so long. But not good so far pre season, not good at all.
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8 minutes to go....I'm putting the washing powder in the tray and sorting out the Lenor.
You'd make some one a lovely wife
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8 minutes to go....I'm putting the washing powder in the tray and sorting out the Lenor.
How many corners have Walsall had so far?
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Is it just me or does Gardner look very slow?
Have thought this for some time. Not sure whether he can pick up the pace enough to make his mark in the PL.
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There will be a skid mark the width of the M6 own the middle of that sheet
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Either 1-0 at Sunderland or 0-0 vs Stoke.
Stoke
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GARY RONALDO GARDNER
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Told you. What a freekick from Gardner.
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Is it just me or does Gardner look very slow?
He hasn't impressed this preseason at all
Agreed he has been really poor. I hope it is just the lad hasnt played football for so long. But not good so far pre season, not good at all.
LOL. scores a sensational free kick.
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Crikey, what a goal that was.
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booooooooooooooooommm!!!
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Yeah - Gary Gardner has really been shit ;)
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What a fucking goal! Go go Gary Gardner!
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Fortunately you don't need much pace to take a free-kick.
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A 40 yard free kick. Nice.
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Is it just me or does Gardner look very slow?
He hasn't impressed this preseason at all
Yep, he's rubbish ;)
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Is it just me or does Gardner look very slow?
He hasn't impressed this preseason at all
FFS.
fair play though son...
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ahaha good timing Gards
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Is it just me or does Gardner look very slow?
He hasn't impressed this preseason at all
Agreed he has been really poor. I hope it is just the lad hasnt played football for so long. But not good so far pre season, not good at all.
Wrong thread, and it's been said many times before: The boy needs to go on loan and play every week.
He'll lean next to nothing from 10-20 sub appearances.
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Anyone else have a "it's just not the same" feeling about Walsall not scoring against us?
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So that's 5. I'd like to table a motion to ban Legion from all future match threads and in fact all future Villa games.
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Get in Gary!!
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Woodward making excellent football/snooker comparisions there. Really is a wordsmith.
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Anyone else have a "it's just not the same" feeling about Walsall not scoring against us?
Guzan keeps it for a bit longer.
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Anyone else have a "it's just not the same" feeling about Walsall not scoring against us?
Still time for us to concede.
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2 minutes...I'm plugging in the machine and selecting the programme.
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Woodward making excellent football/snooker comparisions there. Really is a wordsmith.
There's a reason why he's commentating on a crappy webcast
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So, that is 3 games Legion hasn't followed and we've scored 16 goals in those games. Legion out!
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One world class free kick doesn't make up for a possible 90 minutes of being outplayed. He just lost out then through lack of pace when it should have been his ball.
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Blimey. Five against Crewe, now five against Walsall.
Can't we just play League 1 teams every week.
Peaking nicely just close to the start of the season. Lambert will definitely be pleased to where we are.
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CLEAN SHEET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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"How shit must you be, we kept a clean sheet"
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(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nyJnFRKUGYk/ULPFc44J9KI/AAAAAAAAA0A/MixaooVburQ/s320/bed-with-clean-sheets.jpg)
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Today is clean sheet day :o
there's always one prick out there who is intent on jinxing things. Only kidding murfee but you know you're going to take it in the nexk when we concede later in the game.
:D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D
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"How shit must you be, we kept a clean sheet"
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So that's 5. I'd like to table a motion to ban Legion from all future match threads and in fact all future Villa games.
Seconded. Sorry Legion, the needs of the many etc ;D
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(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nyJnFRKUGYk/ULPFc44J9KI/AAAAAAAAA0A/MixaooVburQ/s320/bed-with-clean-sheets.jpg)
LOOOOOOOOOOLLLLLLL
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Delete my defensive frailties thread, I was talking bollox... ;)
And Gary Gardner is a LEGEND...
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I hope he brings this lot to Dublin on Sunday, I can't wait.
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Well we certainly knocked it about well today, so nice to be playing 'the right way'.
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I hope he brings this lot to Dublin on Sunday, I can't wait.
Yup, they are warming up nicely for Sunday.
I can't wait.
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Today is clean sheet day :o
there's always one prick out there who is intent on jinxing things. Only kidding murfee but you know you're going to take it in the nexk when we concede later in the game.
:D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D
bravo sir, the jinx has been broken
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@MatKendrick: There are 3668 Villa fans here tonight in a crowd of 7720
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Clean sheet. Christmas has come early.
Nice display. Great footy again. Our attackers look menacing. The youngsters did well again. Nicely taken goal from Grealish. Gabby, Wiemann and Benteke play so well together. They all look menacing today. Gabby was exceptional.
Helenius looks a clever player. He dropped off effectively when he came on and linked play well. Involved in the 3rd and 4th goals.
Karim has played well in the last two games. He's sharper with the ball, far more incisive with it. He could be a player. Our midfield selection against Arsenal will be interesting. Westy is a given but any two from Delph, Sylla and KEA could play. Gardner has staked a claim too to be fair. Great to see this much competition in our side.
Tony Moon looks decent. I fancy him to be a cult favourite like Freddy Bouma.
Top notch.
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Lads, how did Bacuna play tonight.
Also who was man of the match for us.
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I bloody love watching villa under Lambert.
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Grealish has impressed me far more in these little bits in pre season than Carruthers and Burke have
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Loving the clean sheet. Let's party!
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One world class free kick doesn't make up for a possible 90 minutes of being outplayed. He just lost out then through lack of pace when it should have been his ball.
FFS Chill, it's still pre-season! Far too early to be judgemental. It'll take him a few more games to get up to speed. According to some on here Sylla was crap on his debut and was written off straight away. IT TAKES TIME!!!
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Lads, how did Bacuna play tonight.
Also who was man of the match for us.
Bacuna did ok MOM between Gabby and Delph for me
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we must be still second in the league. Fantastic
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Lads, how did Bacuna play tonight.
Also who was man of the match for us.
Bacuna was okay. I think he'll be adequate cover at RB. It would seem he's 2nd choice at the moment. Herd would probably be naturally better cover there, but not sure Lambert will put him at right back ahead of Bacuna.
MOM was probably Gabby. He was on fire the lad and his goal was Dalian-esque.
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@MatKendrick: There are 3668 Villa fans here tonight in a crowd of 7720
Over 4,000 Walsall fans for a friendly seems a lot.
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@MatKendrick: There are 3668 Villa fans here tonight in a crowd of 7720
Over 4,000 Walsall fans for a friendly seems a lot.
I bet there were a fair few Villa in the home ends which is why they stopped selling to anyone who didn't have a Walsall booking history.
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Nice to read lots of positive comments tempered by opposition.
Keep up the good work.
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Kendrick
Fabian Delph, Gabby Agbonlahor, Christian Benteke, Jack Grealish and Gary Gardner were on target as Aston Villa produced another five-star pre-season performance to poop Walsall’s party.
Paul Lambert’s claret and blue army descended on the Banks’s Stadium in huge numbers, making up almost half the Saddlers’ 125th anniversary crowd and providing almost all of the goalmouth action.
Villa sold out their allocation of over 3,668 tickets and the away fans among an attendance of 7,720 contributed to a enthusiastic atmosphere, arriving in good voice following the short trip down the M6.
Delph gave them even more to shout about on nine minutes when he capitalised on Villa’s bright start against their League One hosts by firing in the opening goal.
Popping up unmarked 25 yards out, the former Leeds midfielder struck a low left-foot effort across the turf and beyond Saddlers goalkeeper Richard O’Donnell into the bottom right corner.
Fresh from their 5-1 victory at Crewe on Friday, Villa again fielded their first choice attacking trio of Benteke, Agbonlahor and Andi Weimann from the start.
Before the opening goal, Weimann was denied by Mal Benning’s interception and fired wide from a cut-back by Agbonlahor, who himself went close with a deflected drive.
But there was nothing the Saddlers could do to stop Villa going two goals up on 33 minutes thanks to a trademark burst from Villa’s current longest serving player, Agbonlahor.
The Brummie forward latched onto the ball just inside Walsall’s half and his quick and tricky feet took him through the home defence before he calmly slotted past the keeper.
Most of the action was played inside the Saddlers half as Villa’s Premier League passing and moving provided Dean Smith’s men with a stern eve-of-season test before they kick off their League One campaign at home to Yeovil on Saturday afternoon.
Nathan Baker and Ron Vlaar, most probably Villa’s starting central defensive pairing at Arsenal if injured Jore Okore still lacks sufficient game-time by August 17, were rarely troubled before the break.
Walsall’s first threatening moment came when Craig Westcarr got in behind them and scuffed a shot wide, although the offside flag was already up in any event.
Jed Steer almost gifted them a chance when his stray pass went to James Baxendale, but the Walsall winger got the ball stuck under his feet and the Villa keeper had a lucky reprieve.
There was a flurry of activity after Villa’s second goal with Benteke curling a sublime effort against the bar and firing just over on the turn, while Weimann felt he was denied a clear penalty when he was challenged by Andy Butler as he went through on goal.
Lambert made seven changes at the break but left Agbonlahor, Weimann and Benteke on, as well as left-back Antonio Luna, and added Nicklas Helenius to the attacking mix.
Soon Villa’s potent strike force had added another goal involving three of the frontrunners, and dripping with quality, to make it three on 52 minutes.
Helenius displayed great vision to send Weimann scampering towards the right corner flag and when the Austrian drilled the ball across the face of goal, Benteke forced it in from close range without breaking his stride.
Having been brought on at half-time Chris Herd only last 15 minutes before he hobbled off to join Okore, Aleksandar Tonev, Joe Bennett and Marc Albrighton on the treatment table.
It meant Antonio Luna played the entire 90 minutes, while Janoi Donacien, Gary Gardner, Samir Carruthers and Grealish and came on for the final half hour with Weimann, Benteke and Agbonlahor departing.
Grealish is among a host of academy graduates eager to make the most of his first team chance and the teenage attacker did just that by scoring Villa’s fourth goal on 67 minutes.
Helenius was continuing to show his quality on the ball and his clever pass played in Grealish who kept his composure to roll a measured finish through the legs of O’Donnell from inside the penalty area.
Another academy product Gary Gardner made it five on 87 minutes when he smashed an unstoppable free-kick into the top corner from 25 yard out.
There was plenty for the large contingent of Villa fans to cheer in their seventh friendly, not least their team’s first clean sheet since a goalless Premier League draw against Stoke at Villa Park last December, thanks to a last gaps save from Brad Guzan to deny Milan Lalkovic.
But the confdence the claret and blues are building as the big kick off draws nearer will please Lambert more than the second successive five-goal rout against lower league opposition.
Walsall (4-4-1-1): O’Donnell (Lewis 46), George (Heath 73), Purkiss (Holden 46), Butler (Downing 46), Benning (Hemmings (46), Baxendale (Flanagan 46), Chambers A (Mantom 46), Featherstone (McQuilkin 46), Morris (Chambers J), Sawyers (Hewitt (46), Westcarr (Lalkovic 46).
Villa (4-2-3-1): Steer (Guzan 46), Bacuna (Lowton 46), Vlaar (Herd 46, Donacien 61), Baker (Clark 46), Luna; El Ahmadi (Sylla 46), Delph (Westwood 46); Burke (Helenius 46), Weimann (Grealish 61), Agbonlahor (Gardner 61); Benteke (Carruthers 61).
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@MatKendrick: There are 3668 Villa fans here tonight in a crowd of 7720
Over 4,000 Walsall fans for a friendly seems a lot.
I hope they enjoyed watching us play.
Sod the clean sheets, when are we going to score a crap goal?
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The last couple of games, we've played some really good football. We look like a team which tries to play the right way, even if it has been against lower league opposition.
I like the look of Luna very much, from what I have seen. Also shout out for Grealish.
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every player wants the ball or is at least doesn't treat it like a hot potato when they get it. It is also something that seems to have been a specific requirement of all the new signings. Technically sound and able to receive, control and pass. We move it quickly and with confidence. We might still get beaten by teams that do that better than us, or are physically stronger, or when we just have an off day. But against most teams we'll have a better than even chance of winning those games which is very encouraging.
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Are the goals online anywhere?
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Are the goals online anywhere?
AVTV will have them on later.
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every player wants the ball or is at least doesn't treat it like a hot potato when they get it. It is also something that seems to have been a specific requirement of all the new signings. Technically sound and able to receive, control and pass. We move it quickly and with confidence. We might still get beaten by teams that do that better than us, or are physically stronger, or when we just have an off day. But against most teams we'll have a better than even chance of winning those games which is very encouraging.
One touch football, pass and move, players running into space. I finally see that stuff in Villa games, and not just from the opposition.
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Are the goals online anywhere?
AVTV will have them on later.
SSN will be showing them as well, and that usually means they turn up on their web site later.
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Really looking forward to going to Shamrock Rovers now. Roll on the weekend!
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Are the goals online anywhere?
AVTV will have them on later.
And don't forget that AVTV is free if you have a ST. You have one don't you s_h?
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Just back. Ok it's Walsall but we looked great . Tony Moon looks class, Delph scored a lovely goal, KEA played really well. An a clean sheet OMG !!
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Are the goals online anywhere?
AVTV will have them on later.
And don't forget that AVTV is free if you have a ST. You have one don't you s_h?
I do, but I moved seats and my new season card hasn't turned up yet.
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Are the goals online anywhere?
AVTV will have them on later.
And don't forget that AVTV is free if you have a ST. You have one don't you s_h?
I do, but I moved seats and my new season card hasn't turned up yet.
Did you register with AVTV last season as today is the last day of free AVTV for ST from last season. So you may be able to sneak in a quick view of the goals.
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Prediction of the thread: on page 3 (July 29th):
danlanza - five nil.
Nice one, Mystic.
One day, all your transfer predictions will be this good.
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Are the goals online anywhere?
AVTV will have them on later.
And don't forget that AVTV is free if you have a ST. You have one don't you s_h?
I do, but I moved seats and my new season card hasn't turned up yet.
Did you register with AVTV last season as today is the last day of free AVTV for ST from last season. So you may be able to sneak in a quick view of the goals.
No. I tried to on an iPad but it just wouldn't work for me. My PC takes about an hour to boot up and I lose the will to live trying to turn the damn thing on. Think i'll just wait for SSN.
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Prediction of the thread: on page 3 (July 29th):
danlanza - five nil.
Nice one, Mystic.
One day, all your transfer predictions will be this good.
I bloody hope so.
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Villa hit five for the second game in a row in a morale-boosting victory at the Banks's Stadium.
And there were five different goalscorers too in an exciting pre-season display from Paul Lambert's team.
Fabian Delph and Gabby Agbonlahor opened their accounts for the campaign, Christian Benteke continued his red-hot form and academy graduates Jack Grealish and Gary Gardner scored their first senior goals.
The visitors looked razor sharp from the outset with Agbonlahor in full flow.
On seven minutes, he motored down the left and produced a clever cutback for Andi Weimann who fired wide at the near post.
Villa were ahead moments later when Delph gathered possession inside the Walsall half and beat goalkeeper Richard O'Donnell with a rasping left-foot drive.
Then, on 33 minutes, the Saddlers defenders were caught out by Agbonlahor's blistering pace as the Erdington-born hotshot doubled the advantage.
There was no stopping Agbonlahor as he surged past three defenders before nutmegging O'Donnell with his finish.
Further attempts by Agbonlahor and Graham Burke deflected just wide, while Benteke clipped the woodwork with a curling shot from around 18 yards.
Boss Lambert made seven changes at the break but frontmen Agbonlahor, Benteke and Weimann were given another 15 minutes to impress.
And the fearsome forwards continued where they left off.
The third goal arrived seven minutes after the restart when substitute Nicklas Helenius brilliantly picked out Weimann with a pinpoint diagonal pass.
Weimann crossed for Benteke who timed his arrival perfectly to score from six yards.
Helenius showed tremendous vision once again to tee up another substitute Grealish on 67 minutes.
It was a huge moment for boyhood Villa fan Grealish, who kept his cool to slot past replacement keeper Shane Lewis for his first senior goal.
Gardner saved the best until last, drilling home a magnificent 35-yard free-kick four minutes from time.
WALSALL: O'Donnell, Purkiss, Butler, Featherstone, Chambers, Westcarr, Benning, Baxendale, George, Morris, Sawyers. Subs: Holden, Mantom, Lalkovic, Hemmings, Downing, Chambers, Flanagan, Heath, Roberts, Griffiths, McQuilkin, Lewis, Hewitt.
VILLA (first half): Steer, Vlaar, Baker, Bacuna, El Ahmadi, Luna, Delph, Benteke, Burke, Weimann, Agbonlahor.
VILLA (second half): Guzan, Lowton, Clark, Helenius, Agbonlahor, Westwood, Luna, Sylla, Benteke, Weimann, Herd. Subs: Donacien [for Herd, 61], Carruthers [for Agbonlahor, 61], Gardner [for Benteke, 61], Grealish [for Weimann, 61].
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Gardeners goal
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Easy win really, Walsall are toothless upfront and couldn't cope with our pace and power at all.
Very impressed with Delph, not just as he scored first but he was popping up everywhere demanding the ball. Much improved now he's injury free. Like the look of Luna aswell.
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Why did people find the flare throwing so funny?
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Great result and the sort of score we should be beating Walsall etc by.
Great support by the Villa faithful - proud to be a Villain!
And Stan was great with the fans, having photo's taken and shaking hundreds of hands just in front of me.
And a clean sheet!!!
A great Villa night out!
UTV!
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Today showed a good indication that Helenius could play along with Benteke, as well as Gab and Wiemann too. He may be wearing number 9 but on looked very number 10 on todays showing.
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Just saw the goals on SSN. Wow!
Couldn't believe we were on after Spurs under-21s, who lost 1-0 to MK Dons. I even think they showed more highlights from that game.
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Just got back, I know it was Walsall but;
We were very, very good. Luna was our best player I thought, his work rate, speed and touch has given me a huge amount of confidence.
Gabby, Delph, KEA, Sylla and Westwood all looked superb. The rest only looked very good unfortunately. Our passing and moving were top notch.
Just had a look through the thread and I was bemused by the Gardner stick. Even ignoring his free kick, I thought he looked like the player he was in the youth team.
The support was great. Apart from the flare throwing. I really enjoyed it and it's got me really looking forward to the season. A bit of patience during the first month and I think we'll be pleasantly surprised this season.
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Delph, Gabby and Tony Moon were brilliant tonight. We actually look like a Premier League team, in the respect that it was obvious there was a huge gulf in class between us and Walsall. We played really good, intricate stuff tonight and people didn't mind the ball in to feet. The fact it was 5-0 says more about our profligacy up front than it does about Walsall coping with us, because it could have been that at half-time.
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Just saw the goals on SSN. Wow!
Couldn't believe we were on after Spurs under-21s, who lost 1-0 to MK Dons. I even think they showed more highlights from that game.
And they didn't have a 12 year old run down the stand steps to head the ball back ino play!
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I've been away for a week so can somebody tell me who is Tony Moon?
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I've been away for a week so can somebody tell me who is Tony Moon?
Luna's nickname.
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I've been away for a week so can somebody tell me who is Tony Moon?
Luna's nickname.
Ah. I get it.
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And can someone tell me what a clean sheet is ?
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Just had a look through the thread and I was bemused by the Gardner stick. Even ignoring his free kick, I thought he looked like the player he was in the youth team.
Because it's a Villa tradition that no matter how well we play there always has to be someone who was shit!
We need to give the lad time, he's lost the best part of the last 3 years.
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Just got back, I know it was Walsall but;
We were very, very good. Luna was our best player I thought, his work rate, speed and touch has given me a huge amount of confidence.
Gabby, Delph, KEA, Sylla and Westwood all looked superb. The rest only looked very good unfortunately. Our passing and moving were top notch.
Just had a look through the thread and I was bemused by the Gardner stick. Even ignoring his free kick, I thought he looked like the player he was in the youth team.
The support was great. Apart from the flare throwing. I really enjoyed it and it's got me really looking forward to the season. A bit of patience during the first month and I think we'll be pleasantly surprised this season.
Just got back after a few post game drinks and thought it was a very one sided affair throughout. I can't recall Steer or Guzan making a save and the only chance Walsall got was through a terrible mistake.
It was hard to make a telling assessment when it was so one sided, but I really liked the look of Luna although we didn't see him have to do any defending. Delph was excellent as were Westwood and Sylla when they came on in the 2nd half. Vlaar, Lowton and Baker looked pretty solid ad if Okore's not fit, I would expect them to start the season. Gabby's pace is too much for League One players to handle and Benteke got in some good positions (had a great shot off the bar in the 1st half). Helenius had some nice touches, but I have to admit that I was a little disappointed with Weimann at times. Bacuna looked good going forward (not sure about him at RB) and if Tonev performs when fit, Andi could be under pressure.
The youngsters all did pretty well, but I agree with some of the comments about Gardner. Nice free kick, but I don't think he has the creativity or technical ability to play in an attacking midfield role. We still need that type of player, but the rest looks pretty good (though I'd be happier if we had another more experienced option at CB).
Edit: oh yeah and our corners were not too clever!!
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Just saw the goals on SSN. Wow!
Couldn't believe we were on after Spurs under-21s, who lost 1-0 to MK Dons. I even think they showed more highlights from that game.
And they didn't have a 12 year old run down the stand steps to head the ball back ino play!
Right in front of me - that boy has style! (until he rubbbed his head afterwards in a "fu**in' 'ell, that really 'urt my 'ead" kinda way). 1 minute later he caught the ball and kicked it back on to the pitch.
We should book him to kick SSN in the bo**ocks!!!
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Thoroughly one-sided kickabout.
Nice to applaud Ray Graydon and Chris Nicholl onto the pitch at half-time as their part of the Walsall 125th anniversary.
Tony Moon and Delph were superb, Gabby wasn't far behind, Benteke was effortlessly efficient, Weimann ran the channels superbly, Lowton played more as a winger than a full-back.
Second half when the kids took over I was impressed with Grealish's work rate and he deserved his goal, and Gardner's free-kick was quality.
Overall, it was a friendly! What can you learn from it? Well you can see the Lambert philosophy for a start, high work rate and fast, on the deck, attacking football. It;s entertaining, what we will win I don't know, but it's entertaining.
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Just had a look through the thread and I was bemused by the Gardner stick. Even ignoring his free kick, I thought he looked like the player he was in the youth team.
Because it's a Villa tradition that no matter how well we play there always has to be someone who was shit!
We need to give the lad time, he's lost the best part of the last 3 years.
I don't think anyone said he was shit did they?
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@MatKendrick: There are 3668 Villa fans here tonight in a crowd of 7720
Over 4,000 Walsall fans for a friendly seems a lot.
There were never that many Walsall fans there. If the figure of 7720 is correct then I would guess there were around 5,000 Villa fans there if not more.
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I thought Carruthers was absolutely excellent out on the right hand side during the limited time he got. Luna, Benteke, Gabby, Delph, Bacuna, and Lowton were all really good too. Only bad thing about the game was the cock ups with trains, I missed our first goal and missed the last train home.
Very impressed with the football Lambert's got us playing.
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How did you get home Mr Chips?
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How did you get home Mr Chips?
Went to the game with my brother, who got the train from Stratford with me, and my old man who met us at New Street on the way. He had to drive us back home from New Street before getting back to Birmingham himself, but he wasn't too annoyed.
It's because the police only let people onto the platform in waves. Understandable and necessary but frustrating as a lot of people near me ended up stuck in Birmingham.
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I thought Carruthers was absolutely excellent out on the right hand side during the limited time he got. Luna, Benteke, Gabby, Delph, Bacuna, and Lowton were all really good too. Only bad thing about the game was the cock ups with trains, I missed our first goal and missed the last train home.
Very impressed with the football Lambert's got us playing.
Looks like he has filled out a lot since the appearances he made under McLeish.
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Just saw the goals on SSN. Wow!
Couldn't believe we were on after Spurs under-21s, who lost 1-0 to MK Dons. I even think they showed more highlights from that game.
What stroke of luck that Spurs u21 were playing tonight so we were able to have close association with the BIG CLUB. Thank you Sky....thank you!
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Just saw the goals on SSN. Wow!
Couldn't believe we were on after Spurs under-21s, who lost 1-0 to MK Dons. I even think they showed more highlights from that game.
What stroke of luck that Spurs u21 were playing tonight so we were able to have close association with the BIG CLUB. Thank you Sky....thank you!
Yep. I can't thank Sky enough for informing me that Andros Townsend was playing for Spurs U21.
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You can all pay me to stay away from now on.
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You can all pay me to stay away from now on.
Where are you on holiday Leeg ?
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Just had a look through the thread and I was bemused by the Gardner stick. Even ignoring his free kick, I thought he looked like the player he was in the youth team.
Because it's a Villa tradition that no matter how well we play there always has to be someone who was shit!
We need to give the lad time, he's lost the best part of the last 3 years.
I don't think anyone said he was shit did they?
Other than that incredible free kick it is fair to say others did enjoy the limelight far more than GG but to be in any way critical or expect too much more is unfair given his last two seasons. Delph was poor for an extended period following his serious injury(s) but now fit and enjoying his longest run of games at the club he looks like the player MON hoped he was signing.
An extended loan period in the Championship might aid his development and certainly his match fitness and then we might see exactly what type of player his is upon his return. I fear he won't get the appropriate game time at VP this season and the reserves probably won't get him to the levels required in the prem.
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You can all pay me to stay away from now on.
Do you take plastic Leeg?
Or is that just a nasty rumour? ;-)
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All last nights goals. Listen to the bloke at the end." What a beauty, have that."
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I didn't realise this match was arranged as part of Walsall's 125th celebration,in that case, it was a very poor turnout by their supporters. I don't know but I assume they are a circa 10k average club?
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We've certainly had very good passing and movement and looked very threatening in the last couple of games. But it's going to be a big step up when the action really starts. Our intricate passing will need to be sharper still against these sides or we risk losing the ball in dangerous position. And the defence still looks ropey.
I agree with the post above on Gardner, great free kick apart he doesn't look good enough for the first team at the moment. But just as Delph only really started to get his sharpness back last season, it may take Gardner some time to get up to speed. I'm talking not potentially being ready till next season.
It will be interesting to see if we can play 4231 this year without compromising our defensive shape too much. And if so who plays there.
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Sounds encouraging, good stuff.
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I didn't realise this match was arranged as part of Walsall's 125th celebration,in that case, it was a very poor turnout by their supporters. I don't know but I assume they are a circa 10k average club?
Under 4-000 average.
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I think there are more Villa/Boggies and Yams in Walsall than Walsall fans.
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I thought last night was a total waste of time.
Walsall hardly touched the ball and provided no challenge what so ever.
We really didn't have to try.
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I thought last night was a total waste of time.
Walsall hardly touched the ball and provided no challenge what so ever.
We really didn't have to try.
Might it just have been that we have developed as a side and totally outclassed them. I know they didn't 'bust a gut' but neither did we. Let's be positive!
The defence still concerns me though. Hopefully full backs will be ok but I don't see a pairing that you can rely on from last nights teams. I hope Okore is the player we have been searching for but it's a big ask of a 20 year old.
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I agree on possible no touch instructions issued to Walsall players. For example when Gabby was running though for his goal their RB came across and could have put a leg in just outside the box but he didn't. In a competitive game I guess forward would have ended up on the floor with a booking for the defender.
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All last nights goals. Listen to the bloke at the end." What a beauty, have that."
That's great, as is that bloke's header celebration.
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I thought Carruthers was absolutely excellent out on the right hand side during the limited time he got. Luna, Benteke, Gabby, Delph, Bacuna, and Lowton were all really good too. Only bad thing about the game was the cock ups with trains, I missed our first goal and missed the last train home.
Very impressed with the football Lambert's got us playing.
Looks like he has filled out a lot since the appearances he made under McLeish.
Quite a chunk, but played well!
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I thought Bacuna looked decent down the right. He was actually happy to put crosses in, which we've not done much of under Lambert.
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(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nyJnFRKUGYk/ULPFc44J9KI/AAAAAAAAA0A/MixaooVburQ/s320/bed-with-clean-sheets.jpg)
Travelodge or Premier Inn?
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All last nights goals. Listen to the bloke at the end." What a beauty, have that."
That's great, as is that bloke's header celebration.
The kid's header and celebration brought a big smile to the face of Stan who was sitting in front of him.
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Enjoyed the match from beginning to end last night. Great goals, good humour from the fans, Stan joining us to watch the game and two of the youngsters getting on the scoresheet. It was great to see that Villa carried on playing well even after a number of substitutions. Still a few wobbles from defence but the clean sheet was great to see. Only downside was it took me two hours to get from Bescot Stadium to Great Barr afterwards.
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(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nyJnFRKUGYk/ULPFc44J9KI/AAAAAAAAA0A/MixaooVburQ/s320/bed-with-clean-sheets.jpg)
Travelodge or Premier Inn?
Gotta be Travelodge - there's no Lenny Henry on the bed!
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Donacien didn't have a great deal to do last night, but did himself no harm at all. A couple of Benteke style challenges for the ball. He looks pretty quick too.
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Premier Inn without any question.
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All last nights goals. Listen to the bloke at the end." What a beauty, have that."
That's great, as is that bloke's header celebration.
The kid's header and celebration brought a big smile to the face of Stan who was sitting in front of him.
Reminds me of the time when my mate who was mascot for the Connacht rugby team caught a ball that went into touch live on tv against South Africa. linky (http://m.youtube.com/index?&desktop_uri=%2F)
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No Pics of Stan in the crowd?
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I thought last night was a total waste of time.
Walsall hardly touched the ball and provided no challenge what so ever.
We really didn't have to try.
It wasn't a waste of time. As with all pre-season games, it was 90 minutes match time.
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I thought last night was a total waste of time.
Walsall hardly touched the ball and provided no challenge what so ever.
We really didn't have to try.
I've seen us play a few games against ordinary Walsall team in the past. It was something like 6 matches before I saw us actually beat them.
We played well, had a run out and I thoroughly enjoyed watching the game.
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(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nyJnFRKUGYk/ULPFc44J9KI/AAAAAAAAA0A/MixaooVburQ/s320/bed-with-clean-sheets.jpg)
Travelodge or Premier Inn?
Cuddles ?