Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Match Threads & Player Ratings => Topic started by: UK Redsox on August 02, 2013, 09:07:27 AM
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Since Leeg is on his travels
(http://www.shamrockrovers.ie/images/stories/article-images/rand_landingpics/130804-v-villa-2.jpg)
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Stickied
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Do we think Enda will get a game, or is Lambert not as sappy enough to do that for a member of the Bomb squad?
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Who's going from here? I'm flying out tomorrow. Should be a great weekend!
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Just a question. Are any Irish tv channels picking this game up at all ? If so i will go to an Irish bar and watch it over here. They have all the Irish de-coder boxes and can pick up every channel.
Have a great trip anybody who is going.
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Very unlikely to be on tv, this is the time of year when gaelic games (the two national sports) are reaching the quarter finals stage, and they always televise these on sundays. That said, if you've never seen a game of hurling before, then I would strongly recommend you go and watch one. The best description I've heard of it is that it's a cross between hockey and 2nd degree murder.
I'll be going to the game, have a ticket for the east stand (unfortunately the main stand was sold out), doubt i'll be heading to murray's as it's a bit of a shitbox. If anyone wants recommendations for decent boozers just send me a PM and I'll do my best to help.
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Can see us getting a 3-1 win.
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Would anyone travelling over tomorrow please be kind enough to indicate whether they have any intentions of being in Murray's tomorrow night? I intend to be there but don' t wish to be sat there like a lemon. Ta.
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I'm going and will be in the Main Stand.
No boozing for me though as I have to drive back to Cork straight after the game.
We will win this one.
1-4.
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This must be the only match ever where Kieren Clarke is our poster boy.
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This must be the only match ever where Kieren Clarke is our poster boy.
It beats Mark Kinsella who I think was on the cover of the programme for the pre-season tournament in Dublin that we played in just after O'Leary was appointed.
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Would anyone travelling over tomorrow please be kind enough to indicate whether they have any intentions of being in Murray's tomorrow night? I intend to be there but don' t wish to be sat there like a lemon. Ta.
Dave, won't be there until Sunday morning - will be wearing Townsend's #11 long sleeved 94/95 shirt :) (if that helps!)
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We're flying over Sunday morning. Should be a good day if last time was anything to go by.
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is it too much to ask for two clean sheets in a row?
Ah fuck it 3-0 Villa, Benteke, Weimann and Tony Moon
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3-1 Villa, but it would be nice to have another clean sheet and Okores to play.
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Now we have got one, I'm sticking with the clean sheet 3-0 to Villa
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Are there still tix available? Unexpectedly at a loose end, so might try and get a cheap flight.....
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Very unlikely to be on tv, this is the time of year when gaelic games (the two national sports) are reaching the quarter finals stage, and they always televise these on sundays. That said, if you've never seen a game of hurling before, then I would strongly recommend you go and watch one. The best description I've heard of it is that it's a cross between hockey and 2nd degree murder.
I'll be going to the game, have a ticket for the east stand (unfortunately the main stand was sold out), doubt i'll be heading to murray's as it's a bit of a shitbox. If anyone wants recommendations for decent boozers just send me a PM and I'll do my best to help.
Cheers Ger. Popped into a couple of Irish bars early tonight and you are right, GAA only.
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Them 0 Us 3
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We're heading off tomorrow, aiming for Murrays bar 6ish and intend to catch a breakfast there Sunday before heading to the game. Another good night there Sunday is planned when we're hoping God turns up on his day off!!
If I was at a loose end I'd head over for the craic Duncan!
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Hit them for 6.
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is this our last two pre season friendly before the season. Not sure if there is one more after this apart from home game against Malaga.
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Ryanair 07.55 Sunday morning.........
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Ryanair 07.55 Sunday morning.........
Hmmm tempting
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Gutted not to be going over for this sounds like its going to be a great couple of days. Going for a 3-0 win.
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I thought this game was live on AVTV. I'm not having any luck finding it.
It's tomorrow isn't it?! Idiot :-[
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I thought this game was live on AVTV. I'm not having any luck finding it.
It's tomorrow isn't it?! Idiot :-[
Well done for not just deleting the post. Good man.
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I thought this game was live on AVTV. I'm not having any luck finding it.
It's tomorrow isn't it?! Idiot :-[
However don't expect AVTV coverage to be any better tomorrow!
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I can't believe that days later, still nobody has bitten at my deliberate mis-spelling of our Irish defender. You're no fun anymore.
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went to VP today, not expecting to see anybody and was met by Petrov at the gates to the North Stand car park. What a great day!
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is this our last two pre season friendly before the season. Not sure if there is one more after this apart from home game against Malaga.
Youve answered your own question there Salsa !
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I can't believe that days later, still nobody has bitten at my deliberate mis-spelling of our Irish defender. You're no fun anymore.
It was too obvious!!!
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How many different ways can you spell Kiran Klarc?
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Sham 6 - 9 Us
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I've just arrived at my daughter's house after spending a few hours in Murray's, where for the second time this year I met the great Ian Taylor.
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It would probably be Ciarαn Clark if he was raised over here! Imagine how confused everybody would be then!
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This pic has been doing the round on FB, gotta love Tayls.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v436/EnglishPride2004/tayls_zpsd75f4a2b.jpg)
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Any news on the fitness of Okore and Tonev?
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Any news on the fitness of Okore and Tonev?
Okore tweeted that he's looking forward to playing tomorrow
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Any news on the fitness of Okore and Tonev?
Okore tweeted that he's looking forward to playing tomorrow
YEESSSS!
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Comfortable win and another clean sheet 3-0
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my son has decided to play for his own team today like in the last 5 mins so i have a spare ticket available
the plan is to be in murrays if anybody wants a ticket pm me asap bloody teenagers
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Any news on the fitness of Okore and Tonev?
Okore tweeted that he's looking forward to playing tomorrow
Good.
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Any one know if the commentary will be on any radio stations?
Thanks
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Think this will be tougher than some think. 2-2.
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4-0 to us
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5 nil to us
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Looks like they're all having a good time
Wish I was there (https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.617427694967970.1073741898.101566839887394&type=1)
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Looks ace,this is what I like about pre season friendlies,always a right giggle,always feel alot less stressed when the result dosnt matter.
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Great photo's. Enjoy everybody. UTV
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Tonev starts.
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AVFC: Guzan, Lowton, Vlaar, Baker, El Ahmadi, Agbonlahor, Luna, Westwood, Benteke, Tonev, Weimann
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subs: Steer, Okore, Clark, Bacuna, Helenius, Delph, Sylla, Gardner, Carruthers
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A second clean sheet? I doubt it....3-1 to us
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AVFC: Guzan, Lowton, Vlaar, Baker, El Ahmadi, Agbonlahor, Luna, Westwood, Benteke, Tonev, Weimann
With possibly Delph swapping with KEA, that might be our starting/first choice XI this season.
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5 nil to us
Not if Legions watching.
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5 nil to us
Not if Legions watching.
I don't think he is there. He is in the sun in a far flung country, so rumour has it. ;)
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I've got a mate's season ticket AVTV card thingy with activation pin and client ref. number on, will there be any difficulties using this to watch the game today?
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I've got a mate's season ticket AVTV card thingy with activation pin and client ref. number on, will there be any difficulties using this to watch the game today?
I wouldn't think so. But please be ready for the Police to raid your house during the game. ;D
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AVFC: Guzan, Lowton, Vlaar, Baker, El Ahmadi, Agbonlahor, Luna, Westwood, Benteke, Tonev, Weimann
With possibly Delph swapping with KEA, that might be our starting/first choice XI this season.
Okore for Baker also, and Bacuna has been pretty good so far. I think he has given himself a shot of starting a few games.
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Well, its gone 13:45. Has anyone got the AVTV stream working yet ?
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Well, its gone 13:45. Has anyone got the AVTV stream working yet ?
Yes. Thanks to Leeg.
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Was living in Dublin last year, kicking myself I couldn't make it back for this game.
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AVFC: Guzan, Lowton, Vlaar, Baker, El Ahmadi, Agbonlahor, Luna, Westwood, Benteke, Tonev, Weimann
With possibly Delph swapping with KEA, that might be our starting/first choice XI this season.
Okore for Baker also, and Bacuna has been pretty good so far. I think he has given himself a shot of starting a few games.
Now that Lambert's had a chance to build a squad, I'd be very surprised if we had a first choice XI this season. I'd expect Westwood to be a fixture, but I think Delph, Sylla, Tonev, Gardner and El Ahmadi will all start plenty of matches.
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The game should be being streamed on bet365 as well if it helps anyone, if it hasn't been mentioned already.
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I've got a mate's season ticket AVTV card thingy with activation pin and client ref. number on, will there be any difficulties using this to watch the game today?
I wouldn't think so. But please be ready for the Police to raid your house during the game. ;D
;D
I meant as in the club contacting him and asking why his details have been used under another name for AVTV? Don't really fancy causing any bother over it.
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I'm just getting a spinning circle where the picture should be. I've done the log off / log on again but get nothing
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Well, its gone 13:45. Has anyone got the AVTV stream working yet ?
No. It's still loading???
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I'm just getting a spinning circle where the picture should be. I've done the log off / log on again but get nothing
Me too.
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I am interested that KEA starts ahead of Delph again. Shouldn't read too much into that but the last couple of games we've generally played a very strong side
I think Delph has been outstanding recently so I'd be really surprised if he wasn't considered genuine first choice
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I'm just getting a spinning circle where the picture should be. I've done the log off / log on again but get nothing
Me too.
Working for me. Try rebooting, it's a pain but it worked for me with an earlier game.
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I'm just getting a spinning circle where the picture should be. I've done the log off / log on again but get nothing
Me too.
I'm in - Jurassic park!
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I've got a mate's season ticket AVTV card thingy with activation pin and client ref. number on, will there be any difficulties using this to watch the game today?
It is this sort of wanton abuse affecting AVTV revenue streams which could break our club. If AVTV revenue was higher, maybe the club would not have introduced this £2 charge at the ticket office. I blame you. ;)
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Out they come, come on you Lions!!!
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I'm just getting a spinning circle where the picture should be. I've done the log off / log on again but get nothing
Me too.
I'm in - Jurassic park!
Its like a pint of Guinness with a small whirling disappearing head on it.
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Must admit, I would have liked to see The Gladiator start.
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I'm in
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I'm in
Did the reboot work then?
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Here we go, get into 'em!
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Bloody hell this camera angle makes the old highbury angle look like a birds eye view!
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Bloody hell this camera angle makes the old highbury angle look like a birds eye view!
;D
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Thought that was in.
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Decent shot by Tony Moon
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Are we playing Celtic ?
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Looks like Tonev is playing in the number 10 role?
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Got it on Bet365, can't go full screen though can you?
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Got it on Bet365, can't go full screen though can you?
No doesn't look like it
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Been a bit wasteful first 10 mins.
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I see what people mean with the Alan partridge comparisons. What the fuck is he going on about?
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Are we playing Celtic ?
Yo Ville
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GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAL
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1-0
Weimann
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Andi puts us one up.
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Good goal that. The move for gabby's chance was very good too
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Great goal. Fantastic work by Benteke and cool finish by Weimann
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Good stuff. Tonev looking lively.
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Excellent. Now lets talk clean sheets.
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It will be interesting to see us against Malaga. We look good. Better - quicker in particular - than this time last year. But these lot don't look much better than the last couple of games.
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Applause?
Think it should be stopped now personally.
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So Jack wants the applause to carry on season after season. So you want us still doing it in 20 years do you Jack?
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The 19th minute being recognised by most of the crowd by the sound of it and Jack saying it is inspirational.
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I dont think a single goal has been scored or conceded or even any near miss/significant incident has occurred during the 19th minute.
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I dont think a single goal has been scored or conceded or even any near miss/significant incident has occurred during the 19th minute.
We've conceded during it a couple of times.
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The majority of Villa fans there no doubt are Irish and probably don't get to a game very often therefore probably want to feel part of the 19th minute tribute.
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Count me amongst those that don't want it to continue. It was a wonderful tribute last season but its time to stop it.
Stans OK. Enough already.
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We still look very easy to get in behind
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Under the cosh a bit here
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Count me amongst those that don't want it to continue. It was a wonderful tribute last season but its time to stop it.
Stans OK. Enough already.
Hear, hear.
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Count me amongst those that don't want it to continue. It was a wonderful tribute last season but its time to stop it.
Stans OK. Enough already.
Why are people so opinionated on this ? It will fizzle out naturally as and when it needs to.
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Nice turn and shot from Tonev.
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Decent attempt by Tonev
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Some nice stuff getting played, but every time we have to do some defending, it all seems a bit improvised and last-ditch.
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Count me amongst those that don't want it to continue. It was a wonderful tribute last season but its time to stop it.
Stans OK. Enough already.
Why are people so opinionated on this ? It will fizzle out naturally as and when it needs to.
Why shouldn't they be?
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2-0 Benteke
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Oh Christian Benteke
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Great goal. He's better not have broken his ribs though!
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And he stays down after scoring, hope it's nothing serious.
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lovely goal, worked it really well. Fantastic ball in by Lowton.
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Great ball in from Lowton
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What a cross!
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Count me amongst those that don't want it to continue. It was a wonderful tribute last season but its time to stop it.
Stans OK. Enough already.
Hear, hear.
Yep.
*applauds* (for sixty seconds)
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Count me amongst those that don't want it to continue. It was a wonderful tribute last season but its time to stop it.
Stans OK. Enough already.
Why are people so opinionated on this ? It will fizzle out naturally as and when it needs to.
Because it's a forum for opinions.
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Fair enough. But if people want to continue you should respect that too. I'm still undecided on whether it should continue personally.
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How is disagreeing with those who want the 19th minute thing seen as disrespectful?
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Jack really is crap. He doesn't know that Gardner is on the bench or that Bennett is injured.
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Woodward just raised an interesting point.
Where is Joe Bennett? Wasnt on the bench for the last friendly, is he today? Is he injured?
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It's in danger of becoming a bit... well, Liverpool. Anyway, I've said my piece. Folk can do what they like.
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Woodward just raised an interesting point.
Where is Joe Bennett? Wasnt on the bench for the last friendly, is he today? Is he injured?
See above, he's injured. Just started running.
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Great run by Tonev but we do get exposed quite easily down the flanks. A better team would punish us more
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I really like the look of tony moon going forwards. Not found him convincing defensively though.
I think Matt Lowton is one of my favourite players though
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Woodward is fucking hopeless. The last game I watched on mute after 15 minutes, I couldn't take any more of his inane drivel
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It's in danger of becoming a bit... well, Liverpool. Anyway, I've said my piece. Folk can do what they like.
This ^
Seems a bit Scouse now in my opinion. Not trying to offend anyone but that's where I stand on the issue.
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Gabby seems to be playing much deeper in this game.
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Great run by Tonev but we do get exposed quite easily down the flanks. A better team would punish us more
Yes. If we play 433 the midfield gives the full backs so much more protection. I know lambert likes attacking full backs but there's a good case for playing more defensively minded ones if we're gonna play 4231. Man U away is a great example
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Off the line, thought Benteke had scored again there.
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Strong from Gabby.
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Did he just ask if that was an iconic cheer, rather than ironic? I have the volume low.
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HT 2-0. We look like we have a lot of goals in us. We also still look vulnerable at the back.
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Was living in Dublin last year, kicking myself I couldn't make it back for this game.
Living in Dublin today and couldn't make it either.
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It's in danger of becoming a bit... well, Liverpool. Anyway, I've said my piece. Folk can do what they like.
Yep, that's exactly how I fear that this is going.
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HT 2-0. We look like we have a lot of goals in us. We also still look vulnerable at the back.
Agreed.
Remember the days when we looked like we'd never score. We're losing our boing tag!
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HT 2-0. We look like we have a lot of goals in us. We also still look vulnerable at the back.
The problem with crosses doesn't look any closer to being sorted. I'll still like to see a last minute bid for an experienced centre half to play instead of Vlaar.
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They've changed the battery on the camera. By the sounds of it they should have changed the battery on his mic - can't hear him now. What a relief!
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HT 2-0. We look like we have a lot of goals in us. We also still look vulnerable at the back.
The problem with crosses doesn't look any closer to being sorted. I'll still like to see a last minute bid for an experienced centre half to play instead of Vlaar.
Maybe Okore is the answer. I've only seen him play 1 game (against Chavski) and he looked decent. But it definitely needs sorting. Oh for another Martin Laursen
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lol, the mrs, shopping on the ipad next to me just came out with "who is this idiot they've got talking so much crap?". That, my love, is jack woodward
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Is this 19th minute debate going to come up every week. Those that want to do it (me for instance) will do it. Those that don't, won't.
Anyway, we look very good in attack, but still dodgy at the back. Better than last season though, where we were good in attack but very dodgy at the back.
Tonev looks like he could be quality, a bit too eager and a tad rusty at the moment though.
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We look good going forward, good shape and movement and crisp passing. Still look a bit frail at the back though.
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He's an absolute Tonka. Why do they persist with him?
It's like he's taking the piss and they haven't noticed yet.
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Is this 19th minute debate going to come up every week. Those that want to do it (me for instance) will do it. Those that don't, won't.
Quite possibly, it is a forum for expressing views after all.
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Tonev had one or two nice touches but looks way off the pace to me. Will need a few weeks training before he is anywhere near match fit.
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Must admit, I do prefer looking like we can score every time we attack and looking ropey in defense rather than looking tight at the back and shit going forward. And yes, I know there is a happy medium but sod it, I want to be entertained.
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Just panning round the crowd on Bet365. Lots of villa fans there.
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Agree PWS. It's like having Keegan in charge at times, but it seems like ages since we've had entertaining, attacking football
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Agree PWS. It's like having Keegan in charge at times, but it seems like ages since we've had entertaining, attacking football
95/96 is the last time I enjoyed watching us this much.
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Did he just ask if that was an iconic cheer, rather than ironic? I have the volume low.
Got a link?
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Must admit, I do prefer looking like we can score every time we attack and looking ropey in defense rather than looking tight at the back and shit going forward. And yes, I know there is a happy medium but sod it, I want to be entertained.
Completely agree. But it's frustrating if the difference between silverware and lower mid table plucky triers for instance, is one quality centre half. We always seem to have one or two departments sorted but lacking in one vital area.
However, if we're going to have a bias, I'd much rather it was swashbuckling devil may care football like this.
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We haven't played all that well. We haven't moved the ball around that quickly, Shamrock hav e found it too easy to close us down. The nice thing is that even when a bit below par we have the punch up front to get goals.
Re the 19th minute, it was a fitting tribute to the man when he needed it, I'd rather there were a conscious decision to stop rather than let it fizzle out. Now is an appropriate time.
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We haven't played all that well. We haven't moved the ball around that quickly, Shamrock hav e found it too easy to close us down. The nice thing is that even when a bit below par we have the punch up front to get goals.
That is what I love about us now, we haven't played that well and have scored twice and easily could have scored a few more.
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The Gladiator should have made it 3 there.
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The only interesting thing Woodward has said all day - McGrath in the crowd signing autographs
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there is windows magnifer in accessories menu to help you zoom in flash video. Not idea. but it is only way I can think
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That was an absolute sitter for helenius!
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Good to see Okore on.
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Delph back to form with his tackling.
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Jesus Christ Delph. What fucking kind of challenge was that?! That's almost a sending off
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Delph - calm down, dearie.
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Clark. 50p head
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Free header for Clark - should have done better
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For those not watching, the second half team is Guzan, Bacuna, Okore, Clark, Baker, Westwood, Delph, Weimann, Agbonlahor, Helenius, Benteke. Subs left are Steer and Sylla.
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Any sign of Albrighton? If he doesn't get a pre-season into him I worry that he'll never catch-up and be gone in Jan.
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The only interesting thing Woodward has said all day - McGrath in the crowd signing autographs
There's an advertising hoarding right on the half way line which tells you what Woodward is.
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So Gary Gardner hasn't featured?
On a different note 3 free headers from corners and we have missed them all!
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Is this 19th minute debate going to come up every week. Those that want to do it (me for instance) will do it. Those that don't, won't.
Quite possibly, it is a forum for expressing views after all.
Can see it being an issue at games. If someone doesn't do it, they'll get criticised by some drunkard and it'll all kick off.
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Any sign of Albrighton? If he doesn't get a pre-season into him I worry that he'll never catch-up and be gone in Jan.
Injured.
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Any sign of Albrighton? If he doesn't get a pre-season into him I worry that he'll never catch-up and be gone in Jan.
Never catch up with what? He's always been lower Championship/Division 1 player.
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The only interesting thing Woodward has said all day - McGrath in the crowd signing autographs
There's an advertising hoarding right on the half way line which tells you what Woodward is.
Good spot!
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So Gary Gardner hasn't featured?
On a different note 3 free headers from corners and we have missed them all!
Was listed as a sub pre-match but seems to have vanished.
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Helenius is a neat footballer.
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Helenius is a neat footballer.
I was thinking the same.
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Albrighton is way way too injury prone. Made of glass
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Any sign of Albrighton? If he doesn't get a pre-season into him I worry that he'll never catch-up and be gone in Jan.
Never catch up with what? He's always been lower Championship/Division 1 player.
No he hasn't.
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Jack saying that football started with the PL!! Says Villa have never been relegated from the Premier League in answer to a fan shouting we are relegation material.
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Gone a bit dull now. Hard to play with two target men unless you're really gonna be up and at 'em.
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Baker is definitely no overlapping fullback!
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We haven't played all that well. We haven't moved the ball around that quickly, Shamrock hav e found it too easy to close us down. The nice thing is that even when a bit below par we have the punch up front to get goals.
Re the 19th minute, it was a fitting tribute to the man when he needed it, I'd rather there were a conscious decision to stop rather than let it fizzle out. Now is an appropriate time.
Don't forget that they are well into their season. They also played on Friday. We'll score 4.
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Any sign of Albrighton? If he doesn't get a pre-season into him I worry that he'll never catch-up and be gone in Jan.
Never catch up with what? He's always been lower Championship/Division 1 player.
No he hasn't.
He's never lived up to those 4 or 5 months when he first appeared. Which is a shame as I had high hopes for him.
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Any sign of Albrighton? If he doesn't get a pre-season into him I worry that he'll never catch-up and be gone in Jan.
Never catch up with what? He's always been lower Championship/Division 1 player.
No he hasn't.
Yes he has.
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For 4-5 months he looked top half prem, took on full backs and crossed better than anyone in the league. He then got injured/ ill, and never has been the same player again, lost all his confidence.
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Benteke getting a bit of stick from the defenders.
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Albrighton won't be good enough for where we want to go.
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Albrighton is way way too injury prone. Made of glass
Not good enough either in my opinion
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Any sign of Albrighton? If he doesn't get a pre-season into him I worry that he'll never catch-up and be gone in Jan.
Never catch up with what? He's always been lower Championship/Division 1 player.
No he hasn't.
He's never lived up to those 4 or 5 months when he first appeared. Which is a shame as I had high hopes for him.
I agree. Largely due to injury. But he hasn't always been a lower championship/league 1 player. That's just bollocks.
He was one of the outstanding young players in the league.
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Any sign of Albrighton? If he doesn't get a pre-season into him I worry that he'll never catch-up and be gone in Jan.
Never catch up with what? He's always been lower Championship/Division 1 player.
Catch-up with match fitness. On-form he's comfortably Premier League quality.
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Lets get benteke off. He keeps on getting chopped down
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Really scrappy affair now .
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If you watch the DVD for that season the form of Albrighton was fantastic for those months. Really was impressive. I think his only chance now is to leave and try and rebuild his career at a Championship club.
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Albrighton not good enough in my opinion. Once opponents had got the measure of him he has struggled ever since.
Premier quality ? If we put him up for sale, how many other PL clubs would be interested ?
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What level are shamrock ? Equivalent to league 1?
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Albrighton not good enough in my opinion. Once opponents had got the measure of him he has struggled ever since.
Premier quality ? If we put him up for sale, how many other PL clubs would be interested ?
I agree. Sadly. Maybe one of the promoted sides?
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For 4-5 months he looked top half prem, took on full backs and crossed better than anyone in the league. He then got injured/ ill, and never has been the same player again, lost all his confidence.
Barry Bannan has had as many good games as Albrigton. Giving 100% every game has been his saving grace and why he doesn't get as much stick as others.
When was the last good game he had?
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If you watch the DVD for that season the form of Albrighton was fantastic for those months. Really was impressive. I think his only chance now is to leave and try and rebuild his career at a Championship club.
Do a Peter Whittingham?
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Has Jack said dere's more to Oirland dan dis yet?
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Albrighton not good enough in my opinion. Once opponents had got the measure of him he has struggled ever since.
Premier quality ? If we put him up for sale, how many other PL clubs would be interested ?
Now? Not many. After his debut season, most of them.
Mainly due to his iffy injury history. Which has had a massive effect on hs form. Unfortunately.
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I remember seeing highlights of the West Ham home game on the opening day that season and Albrighton was top class that day. If that had become the norm rather than the exception we would have had some player on our hands.
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If you watch the DVD for that season the form of Albrighton was fantastic for those months. Really was impressive. I think his only chance now is to leave and try and rebuild his career at a Championship club.
Do a Peter Whittingham?
That kind of thing, although I don't think Whittingham needed to rebuild his career in the way Albrighton does.
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Jack now saying Gardner is coming on!!
Plus Carruthers and Sylla
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Jack now saying Gardner is coming on!!
Plus Carruthers and Sylla
I should know better than to pay attention to anything he says. He said just after HT that only Steer and Sylla were left on the bench. He's a nice bloke but completely out of his depth, even on AVTV.
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Pretty pointless foul by Baker. Dangerous position too
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People only ever talk about the first few months under Houllier as evidence of Albrighton being decent. He was good in patches for the second part of that season and had a decent spell mid-season under McLeish (scored at Bolton, the 10,000th Prem League goal against Arsenal and had a fine game in our win at Chelsea for example). Last season he was crocked.
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If you watch the DVD for that season the form of Albrighton was fantastic for those months. Really was impressive. I think his only chance now is to leave and try and rebuild his career at a Championship club.
Do a Peter Whittingham?
That kind of thing, although I don't think Whittingham needed to rebuild his career in the way Albrighton does.
What odds he will be another Stephen Froggatt? Popular and early promise but ended up at the Dingles and Coventry - as per wiki 180 appearances in a 10 year career.
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Good attempt by Carruthers. Great save
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Well the starting team next Saturday will be interesting. Personally think it will be the team that finished last season with Luna instead of the injured Bennett. Think Baker will partner Vlaar.
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Okore's positiioning and cover looks good - he and CC seem fine (although not really tested).
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Woodward just compared Andi Weimann to the Duracell Bunny. My life is complete
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Yoghurt with oats on top anyone ?
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Woodward now in full Alan Partridge mode babbling on about breakfast cereals!
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Yoghurt with oats on top anyone ?
"It's becoming like Test Match Special, this"
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Jack has rolled out every single corny cliche you could possibly think about regarding Ireland today, some of them several times.
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Clean sheet number 2. Boring boring Villa.
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Decent run out again. Would like to see a bit more of Carruthers next time, his movement has been impressive for the last three matches when he's been on. Start him v Malaga!
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(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kn3k37XD0Ck/TUThlhDxenI/AAAAAAAABe0/dpDg-s8OmUQ/s1600/bed-with-clean-sheets.jpg)
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We only scored twice. Lambert out!
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Baker really needs to cut out giving away needless free kicks.
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Villa have climbed back above Tracy Emin in the cleanest sheets stakes.
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Well a clean sheet and I know per-season is all about fitness but the pace of the games has been very pedestrian and hasn't got us used to PL speed IMO.
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I can't see us conceding a goal this season.
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I can't see us conceding a goal this season.
If I were a betting man i'd be very tempted to find the odds, and then have a punt, on us going all 38 games without a 0-0.
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Well a clean sheet and I know per-season is all about fitness but the pace of the games has been very pedestrian and hasn't got us used to PL speed IMO.
Its not supposed to. League games are for that.
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I can't see us conceding a goal this season.
Wearing a blindfold to games this year olaf?
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Re: The Albrighton comments.
These were the same type of comments being attributed to Delph before last season started. Haven't heard too many complaints about him since the 2nd half of last season.
Give the bloke a chance to get his fitness and form back. If Lambert didn't rate him, he'd surely be part of the 'bomb' squad by now.
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Well a clean sheet and I know per-season is all about fitness but the pace of the games has been very pedestrian and hasn't got us used to PL speed IMO.
Its not supposed to. League games are for that.
So we go into the first PL game of the season completely off the pace whereas the opposition, who have probably been playing matches at a higher tempo, are straight into their stride?
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I think that's a fair enough point Fred. Just have to expect the training has been sufficiently intense
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Re: The Albrighton comments.
These were the same type of comments being attributed to Delph before last season started. Haven't heard too many complaints about him since the 2nd half of last season.
Give the bloke a chance to get his fitness and form back. If Lambert didn't rate him, he'd surely be part of the 'bomb' squad by now.
The form is the crucial part. Before his injury, he wasn't playing well at all. He appeared to have lost the confidence to take on a full back and his delivery was awful. I'd be happy for him to get a chance from the bench next season to see if he can have an impact. If he can't, sell him on next summer.
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Jack's finest moment today has to be 'the tart with the heart... err... no... the tart with the cart'
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Did Alan Hutton play?
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I don't see how Arsenal playing Indonesia XI, Vietnam, Nagoya Grampus and Urawa Red Diamonds is much of an improvement on what we've done.
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AVFC: Guzan, Lowton, Vlaar, Baker, El Ahmadi, Agbonlahor, Luna, Westwood, Benteke, Tonev, Weimann
With possibly Delph swapping with KEA, that might be our starting/first choice XI this season.
Not seen the game, but I'm guessing from that line up that we were set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Still think we will start the season with a flat 3 in midfield of Sylla, Westwood and Delph.
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Chelsea have played Singha All-Stars, Malaysia XI, Indonesia All-Stars & Inter Milan.
Liverpool: Preston North End, Indonesia XI, Melbourne Victory, Thailand, Olympiacos, Valerenga, Celtic.
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Well a clean sheet and I know per-season is all about fitness but the pace of the games has been very pedestrian and hasn't got us used to PL speed IMO.
Its not supposed to. League games are for that.
So we go into the first PL game of the season completely off the pace whereas the opposition, who have probably been playing matches at a higher tempo, are straight into their stride?
The only teams that have ever been in their stride at the start would be those in competitive early games, such as intertoto games. They'd tail off at the end of the season, though. Don't panic.
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Some of our corners today were appalling. Bring back the Scottish Iniesta.
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I don't see how our pre-season is much different to anyone else.
All Premier League club's pre-season friendlies (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2327369/Premier-League-pre-season-fixtures-results-2013.html)
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They're not. Its only in 24 hour football coverage that they have even been given this much importance.
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Yep, we're as ready or will be as ready as any other PL team. Simulating a competitive league game in pre season is next to impossible. It's all about working up to peak fitness as soon as the season starts and gelling as a squad in personal and professional terms. I doubt Vietnam are as good as Shamrok Rovers or Walsall.
And there's still Malaga to come too.
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Albrighton should look to move in my opinion, i put him in the same bracket as Whittingham quality wise.
I was never particularly impressed with him even when he was being adored to be fair. Not quite fast enough to be the winger he wants to be and his crossing was frustratingly inconsistent. The amount of times he couldn't put the ball past the first man despite being unchallenged had me pulling my hair out.
He's not a young kid, i'd have held more hope had he been 18-19 when he had his breakout season. He was like 21 and is 23 now. If I was Lambert i'd be thinking 'why do i need him?' i've got Weimann, Gabby, Tonev, bacuna and N'zogbia (last season at least) infront of him, with Burke, Carruthers and Grealish looking good.
I'm very surprised he's not in the bomb squad to be fair, must have a good attitude on the training field or something.
I know this sounds like i hate him, but Blues can't afford to sign barely anyone and they're absolutely no threat to us. If I was Lambert i'd send him to blues cost free and say 'go have a 6 month loan down the road, get a load of games under your belt and some form back, then we'll see what to do in january'
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I'm not sure Albrighton was ever adored.
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This all seems a bit harsh, He is a youngster if it is believed is a Villa Fan.
He has been injured for most of last season, Send him out on loan by all means to regain his match fitness and see if he can live up to his early promise.
It almost seems that some posters are gloating that an honest trier is not good enough.
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I haven't seen anyone gloating.
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Bit harsh to send anyone to Blues for six months, let alone one of our own.
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I'd happily send Ireland there
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Albrighton is 100% a Villa fan. Always has been and always will be.
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Albrighton is a Villa fan through and through.
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Albrighton is 100% a Villa fan. Always has been and always will be.
Indeed. Who have people suggested he supports out of interest, if not Villa?
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Does who he supports matter? As far as i'm concerned the important thing is how he performs on the pitch.
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Malaga will be a good step up for us next week even if they've sold all their good players. La Liga starts the same weekend as the prem so they'll be at the same stage fitness wise.
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Sitting on the train waiting to go home after the match. Whilst not perfect I never thought we were ever in any danger, certainly our defending needs to improve but you all know that. One thing is that Okore is definitely a prospect. He looked very composed when he came on and I don't recall anyone going past him so lots to look forward to from him.
On the applause for Stan, I've osted that I feel it should stop but credit to all there today, they applauded to a man so credit to Rovers.
I was speaking to a Rovers fan after the game and he said that Rovers rent the ground from the council at 100k per year and that today's sell out would have netted them about 90k of that so that pleased me.
What also pleased me was seeing Paul McGrath sitting about fifty feet away from me looking well and happy.
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Does who he supports matter? As far as i'm concerned the important thing is how he performs on the pitch.
Exactly.
Mark might very well be a Villa fan, nice bloke and all that, but he is simply not to the standard we require.
Yes, injuries have not been to kind to him, but he was found out by defenders after his first good season with us. He was also a liability when on defensive duties.
There is no room for sentiment at this level. Let the lad leave to make the best of his profession elsewhere and wish him all the best.
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Has he played in any of the pre season games? I can't recall whether he went to Germany or not
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I agree Okore looked good. I wonder if he will be a contender to start one of the first couple of games after all.
We definitely should play three in the middle at Arsenal and Chelsea. It looks so easy to get behind the defence when we play two in there.
Tonev didn't look ready to be a starter in the first few games.
I'm still assuming Delph and Sylla will play in there, but we'll see.
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I think the first team for the first game pretty much writes itself at the minute with Vlaars partner being the only position in question
It'll be Okore if fit enough though of course
Guzan
Lowton ? Vlaar Luna
Westwood Sylla Delph
Weimann Benteke Gabby
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I agree Okore looked good. I wonder if he will be a contender to start one of the first couple of games after all.
We definitely should play three in the middle at Arsenal and Chelsea. It looks so easy to get behind the defence when we play two in there.
Tonev didn't look ready to be a starter in the first few games.
I'm still assuming Delph and Sylla will play in there, but we'll see.
Agreed on that, but there is a player in there I think. Possibly rusty after the injury, few more games and hopefully he'll be up to speed.
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I agree Okore looked good. I wonder if he will be a contender to start one of the first couple of games after all.
If deemed fit enough, I would be surprised if he didn't start. The rest of our defence isn't exactly blessed with pace and he will offer that.
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I think the first team for the first game pretty much writes itself at the minute with Vlaars partner being the only position in question
It'll be Okore if fit enough though of course
Guzan
Lowton ? Vlaar Luna
Westwood Sylla Delph
Weimann Benteke Gabby
From what I can tell I thought KEA and Bacuna were getting better reviews than Sylla from the pre season matches so I don't think the midfield 3 is done and dusted yet.
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Does who he supports matter?
Yes. He's one of us and one of ours. I believe we should be about more than simply winning.
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I guess Sky had nobody there today...
Match report from F365:
"Andreas Weimann and Christian Benteke both scored in the first half in a 2-0 win.
The match saw Aleksandar Tonev and Jores Okore come through 45 minutes each following injury."
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I guess Sky had nobody there today...
Match report from F365:
"Andreas Weimann and Christian Benteke both scored in the first half in a 2-0 win.
The match saw Aleksandar Tonev and Jores Okore come through 45 minutes each following injury."
such depth !!!!!
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How many Villa were there?
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Bacuna looks lively but gives it a way a bit.
KEA looks good, but he did last year too. Sylla should be ahead of him still. But. I wouldn't be surprised if KEA plays at least one of the first three games in his place
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There were a lot of Villa there, and not all Irish. There were a lot of strong Brummie accents to be heard.
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I agree Okore looked good. I wonder if he will be a contender to start one of the first couple of games after all.
If deemed fit enough, I would be surprised if he didn't start. The rest of our defence isn't exactly blessed with pace and he will offer that.
Didn't he choose us over Chelsea because he wanted first team football? I don't think he is guaranteed a start, those kind of shenanigans are in the MON past but I do believe he will play the majority of the games for us during the next season.
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Think it will be Vlaar and Baker partnership then Okore will be next one to step in.
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Does who he supports matter? As far as i'm concerned the important thing is how he performs on the pitch.
Exactly.
Mark might very well be a Villa fan, nice bloke and all that, but he is simply not to the standard we require.
Yes, injuries have not been to kind to him, but he was found out by defenders after his first good season with us. He was also a liability when on defensive duties.
There is no room for sentiment at this level. Let the lad leave to make the best of his profession elsewhere and wish him all the best.
So what is exactly is the 'required standard'? Albrighton may not be a long term player for this club, but the manager must of seen something in him to hand him the number 12 shirt, rather than 52.
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I was surprised he kept the number 12 shirt, so Lambert obviously must see something. Looking at his appearances last year tho, he obviously lost faith in him after our two hammerings in december (unless he was injured? & he was only a sub in both of those tbf), as he only made one league appearance in 2013
CAPITAL ONE CUP Tu 25Sep 2012 Man City 2 - 4 Aston Villa
ENGLISH PREMIER Su 30Sep 2012 Aston Villa 1 - 1 West Brom
ENGLISH PREMIER Su 07Oct 2012 Tottenham 2 - 0 Aston Villa
ENGLISH PREMIER Sa 27Oct 2012 Aston Villa 1 - 1 Norwich
ENGLISH PREMIER Sa 17Nov 2012 Man City 5 - 0 Aston Villa
ENGLISH PREMIER Sa 24Nov 2012 Aston Villa 0 - 0 Arsenal
ENGLISH PREMIER Tu 27Nov 2012 Aston Villa 1 - 0 Reading
ENGLISH PREMIER We 26Dec 2012 Aston Villa 0 - 4 Tottenham
ENGLISH PREMIER Sa 29Dec 2012 Aston Villa 0 - 3 Wigan
ENGLISH PREMIER Tu 01Jan 2013 Swansea 2 - 2 Aston Villa
ENGLISH FA CUP Sa 05Jan 2013 Aston Villa 2 - 1 Ipswich
http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=51118&season_id=142 (http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=51118&season_id=142)
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Does who he supports matter? As far as i'm concerned the important thing is how he performs on the pitch.
Exactly.
Mark might very well be a Villa fan, nice bloke and all that, but he is simply not to the standard we require.
Yes, injuries have not been to kind to him, but he was found out by defenders after his first good season with us. He was also a liability when on defensive duties.
There is no room for sentiment at this level. Let the lad leave to make the best of his profession elsewhere and wish him all the best.
So what is exactly is the 'required standard'?
Premier league standard.
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I think Albrighton can be a player and I think he can be a player with the tutorship of Lambert
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Not sure Albrighton's going to make it, he was brilliant when he burst on the scene in 10-11 but teams soon wised up on him and in 11-12 we didn't have Young or Downing anymore that defences would occupy allowing Marc 1 v 1s on the defender. Teams start doubling up on him and he doesn't have a huge amount more to his game other than a decent cross.
That said from what I remember last season he was injured for the start of the season and when he was fit Lambert started him against WBA and Spurs and he was in and out of the team up to xmas when he got another injury so who knows but I really don't see him starting many games this season.
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Does who he supports matter?
Yes. He's one of us and one of ours. I believe we should be about more than simply winning.
We may as well pick 11 blokes from the Holte each game then if winning isn't important.
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Does who he supports matter?
Yes. He's one of us and one of ours. I believe we should be about more than simply winning.
We may as well pick 11 blokes from the Holte each game then if winning isn't important.
Good idea
Have Lambert volley 11 balls into the crowd at half 2 every week, then whoever catches the ball makes their way down to the pitch and gets a shirt from Lambert
All whilst is playing through the PA
Atleast we'd get a sell out in the Holte every week
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That bloody song makes me think of Norwich scoring. Terrible stuff
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I think Albrighton can be a player and I think he can be a player with the tutorship of Lambert
Agree with this. If MA can get fully fit and injury free and be coached for confidence decision making and improved tackling when on defence, there's a tidy player there. Lambert has a good enough eye and fair play gave MA the 12 shirt. Ironic that some teams consider the 12 shirt a fan number!
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I think Albrighton can be a player and I think he can be a player with the tutorship of Lambert
Could probably do with a loan spell to get some game time. Get him to a good Championship club (most teams in that league tend to play with traditional wingers) and let him try and get some form and confidence back.
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I am glad we have Villa fans playing for us, but treating them in anyway different from other players who don't support Villa is totally not on.
Albrighton has suffered badly from injuries. I'd like to see him recover, but I don't think he's ever really going to get the chance to prove he can do it with us, so it's probably best for him to move on.
Sticking with players because they're "one of us" or "Villa through and through" instead of on merit would be incredibly smalltime.
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Does who he supports matter?
Yes. He's one of us and one of ours. I believe we should be about more than simply winning.
We may as well pick 11 blokes from the Holte each game then if winning isn't important.
I didn't say winning isn't important. I feel we have history and class. And our heart and spirit and ethos matter as much to me as 'winning'.
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Have any footballer find form after 2 years of poor form/injuries at Villa Park. Just interested to know if the like of Albrighton can deliver with a bit of faith/run (Fabian Delph could be used an example)
There are too many footballer doesn't meet their potential or overcome 2nd/3rd season slump.
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I think Albrighton can be a player and I think he can be a player with the tutorship of Lambert
Could probably do with a loan spell to get some game time. Get him to a good Championship club (most teams in that league tend to play with traditional wingers) and let him try and get some form and confidence back.
Probably fair to say Lambert thinks so to.
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Does who he supports matter?
Yes. He's one of us and one of ours. I believe we should be about more than simply winning.
We may as well pick 11 blokes from the Holte each game then if winning isn't important.
I didn't say winning isn't important. I feel we have history and class. And our heart and spirit and ethos matter as much to me as 'winning'.
So we keep Albrighton because he's one of us, and keeping him is more important than winning? I'm missing what your point is as I honestly can't see what Albrighton has to do with our history, class and ethos etc.
Surely the only thing that is important when it comes to keeping a player is whether they are good enough or not?
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Does who he supports matter?
Yes. He's one of us and one of ours. I believe we should be about more than simply winning.
We may as well pick 11 blokes from the Holte each game then if winning isn't important.
I didn't say winning isn't important. I feel we have history and class. And our heart and spirit and ethos matter as much to me as 'winning'.
So we keep Albrighton because he's one of us, and keeping him is more important than winning? I'm missing what your point is as I honestly can't see what Albrighton has to do with our history, class and ethos etc.
Surely the only thing that is important when it comes to keeping a player is whether they are good enough or not?
I must admit berneboy that is one of the stranger posts I've read.
Aslong as you have talent and work your bollocks off, then you can forgive not winning, you can even support the blouses. In my opinion though he doesn't have enough of the talent bit and therefore matters not who he supports, unfortunately.
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It makes no difference to me who he supports. Even if he was a devout nose I'd continue to think he deserved another chance. If he doesn't do anything this season then he should leave to rebuild his career at another club. He's only 23 so there's still time for him yet, especially as I still think there's a player in there.
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Isn't he out of contract next summer? Puts us in an awkward position if he is. He's 24 ni a few months, he should really be a first teamer at that age. Unless he goes out on loan I just don't see how he's going to get the chance as i'd have thought that Tonev and Carruthers are ahead of him now.
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Jack has rolled out every single corny cliche you could possibly think about regarding Ireland today, some of them several times.
Any examples?!
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Jack has rolled out every single corny cliche you could possibly think about regarding Ireland today, some of them several times.
Any examples?!
"You wake up in the morning, you've got to read all the Sunday papers, the kids are running round, you've got to mow the lawn, wash the car, and you think "Sunday, bloody Sunday!"."
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Isn't he out of contract next summer? Puts us in an awkward position if he is. He's 24 ni a few months, he should really be a first teamer at that age. Unless he goes out on loan I just don't see how he's going to get the chance as i'd have thought that Tonev and Carruthers are ahead of him now.
He is out of contract at the end of the year. Doesn't leave much time for a loan spell and convincing displays in claret and blue to earn a new one.
I can only think his attitude and personality have saved him from the bomb squad. I didn't realise he is 24, a long term future at Villa does seem unlikely. I wouldn't begrudge him a season on the payroll to make a case to someone if not us, I doubt he'd fare that well if he were on the market right now.
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I can't see us conceding a goal this season.
Wearing a blindfold to games this year olaf?
Yes ....like every year!
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How many Villa were there?
There is only one Aston Villa?
Oh ok I will leave now........
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Enjoyed yesterday a lot. Typical pre-season freindly really, an easy enough win with the opposition not looking much cop. Benteke looked really up for it and it's good to still see him and Weimann still linking up well. I think Helenuis might struggle with the Prem at first though.
Murray's bar was great if you like that kind of thing, loads of Villa in there but not rowdy in an away pub kind of way. The ground was bloody miles away on a stupidly long tram ride. Not a bad little ground really, just two stands on either side of the pitch. Found a cracking pub after the game in the city centre which was very tiny but away from the tourists. We could have stayed in there all night.
Stood in front of Ian Taylor and Jack Woodward in the queue for the flight home. Tayls was as freindly as ever and Jack was a really nice chap.
Oh and Gaelic football is rubbish.
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Tayls was as freindly as ever and Jack was a really nice chap.
That's the problem with Jack. In person he comes across as a really nice bloke. It's just the commentating that he has difficulty with.
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Enjoyed yesterday a lot. Typical pre-season freindly really, an easy enough win with the opposition not looking much cop. Benteke looked really up for it and it's good to still see him and Weimann still linking up well. I think Helenuis might struggle with the Prem at first though.
Murray's bar was great if you like that kind of thing, loads of Villa in there but not rowdy in an away pub kind of way. The ground was bloody miles away on a stupidly long tram ride. Not a bad little ground really, just two stands on either side of the pitch. Found a cracking pub after the game in the city centre which was very tiny but away from the tourists. We could have stayed in there all night.
Stood in front of Ian Taylor and Jack Woodward in the queue for the flight home. Tayls was as freindly as ever and Jack was a really nice chap.
Oh and Gaelic football is rubbish.
The bold bit doesn't surprise me, I'm sure he's a great guy if you know him, it's just a shame he went to the Alan Partridge school of broadcasting. As a big fan of TMS (and the sky cricket team) which is based on them going off on complete tangents I should be ok with him doing it, but the pace of the game in football just isn't suited to a discussion about the breakfast offerings in the hotel.
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Clampy mate, Gaelic football isn't rubbish, it's just that you don't understand it or see enough of it. It's fully amateur, give it a chance.
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Clampy mate, Gaelic football isn't rubbish, it's just that you don't understand it or see enough of it. It's fully amateur, give it a chance.
From what I saw of it yesterday on the tellybox (Mayo v Donegal) it did'nt make a lot of sense but it's bloody popular over there if the amount of people walking to Croke Park was anything to go by.
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Does who he supports matter? As far as i'm concerned the important thing is how he performs on the pitch.
Exactly.
Mark might very well be a Villa fan, nice bloke and all that, but he is simply not to the standard we require.
Yes, injuries have not been to kind to him, but he was found out by defenders after his first good season with us. He was also a liability when on defensive duties.
There is no room for sentiment at this level. Let the lad leave to make the best of his profession elsewhere and wish him all the best.
Or give him one more chance to prove himself and if it doesn't work out then let him leave. What difference does it make? Why the rush?
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Enjoyed yesterday a lot. Typical pre-season freindly really, an easy enough win with the opposition not looking much cop. Benteke looked really up for it and it's good to still see him and Weimann still linking up well. I think Helenuis might struggle with the Prem at first though.
Murray's bar was great if you like that kind of thing, loads of Villa in there but not rowdy in an away pub kind of way. The ground was bloody miles away on a stupidly long tram ride. Not a bad little ground really, just two stands on either side of the pitch. Found a cracking pub after the game in the city centre which was very tiny but away from the tourists. We could have stayed in there all night.
Stood in front of Ian Taylor and Jack Woodward in the queue for the flight home. Tayls was as freindly as ever and Jack was a really nice chap.
Oh and Gaelic football is rubbish.
The bold bit doesn't surprise me, I'm sure he's a great guy if you know him, it's just a shame he went to the Alan Partridge school of broadcasting. As a big fan of TMS (and the sky cricket team) which is based on them going off on complete tangents I should be ok with him doing it, but the pace of the game in football just isn't suited to a discussion about the breakfast offerings in the hotel.
He doesn't seem to have realised that when you're commentating on TV you don't have to describe what's going on all the time because the audience can see it.
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To be fair Dave, I think AVTV does still offer an audio-stream to his commentary, probably knowing there's a fairly decent chance of there being an issue with the live-stream.
This doesn't excuse his Partridge-esque delivery in the slightest, though.
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Another win and clean sheet job done.
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I don't mind a commentator describing what's going, particularly with giving names, etc, it's when they're having another conversation whilst you can see a build up to a chance going on, there are times where you'd think nothing was happening if you weren't watching. I view the job of the commentator in football to be about making you feel involved, so getting excited when there's a good build up, getting frustrated when it's a bit flat, etc. Jack Partridge just doesn't do that in the slightest.
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Does who he supports matter? As far as i'm concerned the important thing is how he performs on the pitch.
Exactly.
Mark might very well be a Villa fan, nice bloke and all that, but he is simply not to the standard we require.
Yes, injuries have not been to kind to him, but he was found out by defenders after his first good season with us. He was also a liability when on defensive duties.
There is no room for sentiment at this level. Let the lad leave to make the best of his profession elsewhere and wish him all the best.
Or give him one more chance to prove himself and if it doesn't work out then let him leave. What difference does it make? Why the rush?
No rush at all from our perspective I suppose.
However, I dont see him getting many chances this season to prove himself with Carruthers around, who in my opinion is far more technically gifted than Albrighton.
Fair points are being made on sending him out on loan, but I still think it will still end up with the invitable happening of him being elsewhere next season on a permanent basis.
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Clampy mate, Gaelic football isn't rubbish, it's just that you don't understand it or see enough of it. It's fully amateur, give it a chance.
From what I saw of it yesterday on the tellybox (Mayo v Donegal) it did'nt make a lot of sense but it's bloody popular over there if the amount of people walking to Croke Park was anything to go by.
As it's the national sport of Ireland you can be sure it's pretty popular.
People asking earlier about how many Villa fans were there? Well, I'm no expert on these things but I'd say the ground was about two thirds full of Villa fans. Leaving the East Stand at the end of the match had the same kind of feel as walking down the Trinity Road at the end of a Villa match.
EDIT: Just caught the highlights on AVTV and reckon I've severely underestimated the size of the Villa contingent.
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I don't mind a commentator describing what's going, particularly with giving names, etc, it's when they're having another conversation whilst you can see a build up to a chance going on, there are times where you'd think nothing was happening if you weren't watching. I view the job of the commentator in football to be about making you feel involved, so getting excited when there's a good build up, getting frustrated when it's a bit flat, etc. Jack Partridge just doesn't do that in the slightest.
I thought yesterday that both he and Ian Taylor sounded pretty hungover, which cannot help much.
Or maybe it was my hangover that created that effect.
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what I like about Albrighton is that his attitude is absolutely spot on. He just needs a bit of luck with injuries now and a little run to get back some of his confidence. Lambert will give him all the support he can to make something of himself at the club. I am firmly in his corner because we have seen what he can do. I just hope with the right backing he can get back to that because we have a deadly centre forward just waiting for his crosses.
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Herld.ie (http://www.herald.ie/sport/soccer/villa-look-a-little-green-29473466.html)
Villa look a little green
THE Irish tricolour, which once flew proudly over Villa Park and all who worked there, has become a bit tattered and faded.
Aston Villa are still a draw in terms of the Irish public, that fact evident from the full house of 6,000 punters who paid into Tallaght Stadium to see Paul Lambert's side beat Shamrock Rovers 2-0 with first-half goals from Andy Weimann likely to face Ireland in Vienna in the World Cup qualifiers next month and Christian Benteke, the biggest gate for a British club on pre-season duties in Ireland this summer so far.
And Paul McGrath is still capable of bringing the place to a standstill with fans many of whom were not even born when the Dubliner was playing for Villa desperate for a photo.
Presence
But the Irish presence in the team is no longer what it was. It's amazing to think that only 18 months ago, when the country was still excited by pre-Euro 2012 fever instead of drowning in post-Poland gloom, the Villa PR department dreamed up the wheeze of assembling their Irish players in the first team for a photo, with an entire Irish XI posing under a tricolour, Villa proud that they could field an entire side from Shay Given in goal to Robbie Keane up front of Republic of Ireland players.
But in the summer of 2013, Villa Park is not such a hotspot for our talent. Of that Irish XI trumpeted by Villa last year, four players have left the club (Richard Dunne, Derrick Williams, Daniel Devine and Robbie Keane, though Keane was, of course, just on loan).
Three more are still on the books at Villa, but it's been made clear by the club that they do not see Shay Given, Stephen Ireland and Enda Stevens as part of their plans for the coming season.
Clubs have been linked with that trio, but their possible destinations so far such as Doncaster (Given), Middlesbrough (Ireland) and Yeovil (Stevens) indicate that other Premier League clubs outside of Villa do not see that Irish trio as elite division material any more. However, immediate plans are hard to work out, as Lambert refused to answer any questions on the futures of Given, Ireland and Stevens after the game.
Recruit
Of Villa's Ireland XI from 2012, only Ciaran Clark and Samir Carruthers played any part in yesterday's effortless win over Rovers, while two more (Graham Burke and Mikey Drennan, along with Jack Grealish who is a newer recruit to the Irish cause) are still at the club and can only hope to progress next season.
Villa are one of those clubs who are hard to assess ahead of the new Premier League season in England and, if yesterday's win over Rovers is anything to go by, will certainly not be even in the hunt for a European place.
Benteke remains a goal threat, Alexandar Tonev in the middle is a classy player to have and Brad Guzan is a top-drawer keeper, while Ciaran Clark certainly looks like a player with real club and international credentials.
Clark came on as a half-time sub in the Dublin win and while he did his job at the back, limiting a weakened Rovers side to precious few chances in the second half, he almost nicked a goal at the other end, forcing a save from Barry Murphy on the hour mark.
"He done fine, the most important thing is that the players got more minutes under their belt and no injuries, which is the main thing," said Lambert when asked about Clark's contribution, the defender back in the frame with Ireland for the upcoming friendly in Wales after missing the four-game programme at the end of last season.
Unlucky
"He seems to be over his injuries now, he was unlucky. He had a shoulder problem when he was away with the national team and then he got hurt towards the end of last season. Overall, he did very well for me."
Lambert was also pleased with the contribution of Carruthers, the London-born midfielder who is eligible to play for England, Italy, Morocco and Scotland but has declared for Ireland and should win his fifth U21 cap away to the Faroe Islands in a fortnight.
"He has done alright and has been involved with us since we have come back. He is a young lad learning a lot about the workings of the game. But he has done fine."
For Villa, just doing fine in the Premier League this season would be a bonus, and even on the evidence of a pre-season win over Rovers, keeping hold of Beneteke will be a key element of that as he was a constant threat to the goal of Barry Murphy.
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Has anyone told them Benteke has signed a new contract?
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I can't see where they are disputing that. Just saying that keeping hold of him was important.
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Enjoyed yesterday a lot. Typical pre-season freindly really, an easy enough win with the opposition not looking much cop. Benteke looked really up for it and it's good to still see him and Weimann still linking up well. I think Helenuis might struggle with the Prem at first though.
Murray's bar was great if you like that kind of thing, loads of Villa in there but not rowdy in an away pub kind of way. The ground was bloody miles away on a stupidly long tram ride. Not a bad little ground really, just two stands on either side of the pitch. Found a cracking pub after the game in the city centre which was very tiny but away from the tourists. We could have stayed in there all night.
Stood in front of Ian Taylor and Jack Woodward in the queue for the flight home. Tayls was as freindly as ever and Jack was a really nice chap.
Oh and Gaelic football is rubbish.
Gaelic Games are actually amazing. The fitness levels required are phenomenal and the pitches are an awful lot bigger than football pitches. When Croke Park is marked out for 'soccer' there is acres of green grass left behind each goal and along the sidelines.
What pub did you find? I'd be interested to know!
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Jack has rolled out every single corny cliche you could possibly think about regarding Ireland today, some of them several times.
Any examples?!
"You wake up in the morning, you've got to read all the Sunday papers, the kids are running round, you've got to mow the lawn, wash the car, and you think "Sunday, bloody Sunday!"."
'Really encapsulates the frustration of a Sunday'....were you over Dave?
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Jack has rolled out every single corny cliche you could possibly think about regarding Ireland today, some of them several times.
Any examples?!
"You wake up in the morning, you've got to read all the Sunday papers, the kids are running round, you've got to mow the lawn, wash the car, and you think "Sunday, bloody Sunday!"."
'Really encapsulates the frustration of a Sunday'....were you over Dave?
Nothing to sell.
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Enjoyed yesterday a lot. Typical pre-season freindly really, an easy enough win with the opposition not looking much cop. Benteke looked really up for it and it's good to still see him and Weimann still linking up well. I think Helenuis might struggle with the Prem at first though.
Murray's bar was great if you like that kind of thing, loads of Villa in there but not rowdy in an away pub kind of way. The ground was bloody miles away on a stupidly long tram ride. Not a bad little ground really, just two stands on either side of the pitch. Found a cracking pub after the game in the city centre which was very tiny but away from the tourists. We could have stayed in there all night.
Stood in front of Ian Taylor and Jack Woodward in the queue for the flight home. Tayls was as freindly as ever and Jack was a really nice chap.
Oh and Gaelic football is rubbish.
Gaelic Games are actually amazing. The fitness levels required are phenomenal and the pitches are an awful lot bigger than football pitches. When Croke Park is marked out for 'soccer' there is acres of green grass left behind each goal and along the sidelines.
What pub did you find? I'd be interested to know!
I'll be honest and say that I don't think Gaelic football is a good sport, hurling on the ore hand is an amazing sport to watch. The skill levels are phenomenal.
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You reviewed the Inbetweeners movie so I hope one for Alpha Papa will be forthcoming.
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There is another of those out next Summer isn't there?
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Enjoyed yesterday a lot. Typical pre-season freindly really, an easy enough win with the opposition not looking much cop. Benteke looked really up for it and it's good to still see him and Weimann still linking up well. I think Helenuis might struggle with the Prem at first though.
Murray's bar was great if you like that kind of thing, loads of Villa in there but not rowdy in an away pub kind of way. The ground was bloody miles away on a stupidly long tram ride. Not a bad little ground really, just two stands on either side of the pitch. Found a cracking pub after the game in the city centre which was very tiny but away from the tourists. We could have stayed in there all night.
Stood in front of Ian Taylor and Jack Woodward in the queue for the flight home. Tayls was as freindly as ever and Jack was a really nice chap.
Oh and Gaelic football is rubbish.
Gaelic Games are actually amazing. The fitness levels required are phenomenal and the pitches are an awful lot bigger than football pitches. When Croke Park is marked out for 'soccer' there is acres of green grass left behind each goal and along the sidelines.
What pub did you find? I'd be interested to know!
It was called The Confession Box. I really liked it, nice little pub.
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Had a good day out yesterday and my 5 year old loved going to her first Villa game.I think she enjoyed the being able to shout a lot and have nobody telling her to keep it down. She gave Gabby plenty encouragement during the game, even when he was nowhere near the ball.
We were pretty good in the first half but the game died a bit in the second half.
Tonev needs to get up to speed and Okore looked very composed and read the game well.
Delighted to see so many Villa fans around and the few Brummies we spoke to seemed to be enjoying their trip.
I think that is the first time I have seen Villa beat a League Of Ireland team in 4 attempts.
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Jack has rolled out every single corny cliche you could possibly think about regarding Ireland today, some of them several times.
Any examples?!
"You wake up in the morning, you've got to read all the Sunday papers, the kids are running round, you've got to mow the lawn, wash the car, and you think "Sunday, bloody Sunday!"."
He's not even original.
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Great weekend in Dublin, loved every minute of it. Nice stadium at Tallaght though it was a bit of a treck to get to it. Tried to avoid Murray's bar after the first day as there are fantastic pubs in Dublin on practically every street corner and most of them have live music day and night.
Why can't the pubs in Birmingham have live music?
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Mods can you delete my above two posts and leave just the one AP thing?
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Cheers to the travelling faithful for making it a great weekend - nice to participate in the 19 minute applause - haven't done that for a while... :)
PS Did EVERYONE get a photo with Macca? ;)
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No, I didn't. Didn't wish to bother him it was enough to see him looking so good.
On the 19th minute thing, I'm in the stop it now camp but, I joined in wholeheartedly on Sunday as it was my first opportunity to do so and I was delighted to do so.
Credit to the Irish Lions for their efforts.
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Cheers to the travelling faithful for making it a great weekend - nice to participate in the 19 minute applause - haven't done that for a while... :)
PS Did EVERYONE get a photo with Macca? ;)
Just heard from the other half as a lad she works with went over for it. I'm afraid to say the great man was on the pop again and was drunk before the game even started.
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Cheers to the travelling faithful for making it a great weekend - nice to participate in the 19 minute applause - haven't done that for a while... :)
PS Did EVERYONE get a photo with Macca? ;)
Just heard from the other half as a lad she works with went over for it. I'm afraid to say the great man was on the pop again and was drunk before the game even started.
A mate of mine saw him after the game and told me he was pissed. I didn't wait to see him at Murray's but I hope the Villa fans didn't buy him any drinks.
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Really enjoyed the weekend and I think the Irish Lions did the club proud. Murrays looked great with all the flags in every room, particularly out back and on the flagpole at the front on O'Connell Street.
Very sleepy atmosphere at the ground considering there were about 4,000 Villa fans in there, but not a bad game and we played some neat football at times.
Very nice piece about the Villa in the programme too by Jimmy Conroy.
Anyway, well done to all the Irish lions. I hope it's not too long before we play over there again.
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Just back (Tuesday evening) after stopping with a few irish friends over there. Took them in the Villa end and they loved the jovial banter from the Villa fans. It was very unusal to have two stands on the side and two open ends - on which looks on to a mountain.
On the playing side they said that when we get to the by-line we are dangerous but didn't do it enough.
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Nice to see Peter Chatham, the Irish Lions Chairman, getting some coverage in the Birmingham Mail. They have almost 4,000 likes on FB now and they really have succeeded in bringing Dublin Villans together.
http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/mat-kendrick-talks-chairman-aston-5685818 (http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/mat-kendrick-talks-chairman-aston-5685818)