Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Match Threads & Player Ratings => Topic started by: Dave on April 19, 2024, 12:02:04 PM
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Sunday 21st April, Villa Park, 3pm.
Let's not do anything silly lads.
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We’ll be lucky to have 11 fit first teamers!
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Luiz is out again so McGinn and Tielemans in the centre? Cash or Konsa back as RB? Diaby or Bailey start?
We will out possess and out pass them, but will we be able to break them down AND keep out the inevitable corners.
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Martinez
Cash Konsa Torres Digne
Bailey McGinn Tielemans Rogers
Watkins Duran
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I'd be surprised if Cash plays after 120 mins straight after a few weeks out.
3-1
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Yeah I'd give Captain Chaos a start as well, he's earnt it, very nearly won it for us before the penalties.
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We will be knackered, they're a top-eight team now. 0-2.
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We're a top 4 team, and they lost to Luton 2 weeks ago.
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Yeah I'd give Captain Chaos a start as well, he's earnt it, very nearly won it for us before the penalties.
Seem to remember he did pretty well when he came on in the away fixture when we were looking for the equaliser too.
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This game is much more important than Thursday was!
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This game is much more important than Thursday was!
No it is not!!!
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0-2
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0-2
💪
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Every game now in either competition is just as important for us going into next season. The only English team winning an European Competition. Our first silverware in almost 30 years. Champs league qualification. All will raise income, raise our profile and raise the players mentality for next seasons efforts.
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Every game now in either competition is just as important for us going into next season. The only English team winning an European Competition. Our first silverware in almost 30 years. Champs league qualification. All will raise income, raise our profile and raise the players mentality for next seasons efforts.
I’d love to win the conf league especially now we have played so many matches but finishing top four is crucial if we are going to push on and I would give it priority every time. I am worried we played extra time but hope we can keep going!
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Even if we don't make the Champions League this season, we will the following season, as Champions.
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The level of performance from Doug has dropped somewhat, I noticed this during the Brentford Nylons game where he got booked, and in the two European games he hasn't been at it for me.
I thought both Tielemans and SJM were outstanding at Woolwich and moving the latter out wide last night to accommodate Doug (which we'd all probably do) negated his effectiveness. So that pair in the middle is essential on Sunday. I've no doubt Doug will regain his form but his absence might actually help at the moment.
Zaniolo acted the prick again yesterday, his substitution helped in that Morgan is a better player (already) so he should start, and Bailey for Diaby.
These two home games are a fabulous opportunity to put some distance between us and Spurs that we need to take. Tiredness may come into it but I expect the atmosphere to be great despite it being a Sunday and I can't wait.
These are the days.
2-1
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If we could -somehow - win these next two league games we might* have the luxury of easing off and rotating players from the Brighton game onwards.
Scoreboard pressure could well do for the Tiny Totts in that scenario.
Football is never that considerate, though.
We were lucky to get a draw at their place; and that was with a near full-strength side and no major concerns about fatigue. Iraola would love to get one over on Emery and cement his growing reputation.
1-1
* we won't
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I thought the same with Doug, he's dropped off quite a bit. Class penalty though under massive pressure and knobber ref doing his best to put him off.
I think we may be knackered but think last nights 'suffering' will only strengthen us as a team going forward, the end is is sight now and we're in exactly the position we want to be going into the home straight.
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If we could -somehow - win these next two league games we might* have the luxury of easing off and rotating players from the Brighton game onwards.
Scoreboard pressure could well do for the Tiny Totts in that scenario.
Football is never that considerate, though.
We were lucky to get a draw at their place; and that was with a near full-strength side and no major concerns about fatigue. Iraola would love to get one over on Emery and cement his growing reputation.
1-1
Agreed, a win would be lovely but I can see this week's exertions catching up with us. 2-2 draw.
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Huge huge game . Big responsibility on the crowd to lift the players as high as possible for this . Hopefully they are all charged with confidence and momentum, 3 points would be massive .
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Doug is obviously being coached by Alisha. His mind seems to be on other things just now!!
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I honestly can't see any other result aside from a convincing home win. We're going to smash them and put some distance between us and Spurs.
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Can you imagine if we'd had Mings, Ramsey, Kamara, and Buendia available for all - or even just most - of the season?
We'd still be in with a shout of the title, I reckon.
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Can you imagine if we'd had Mings, Ramsey, Kamara, and Buendia available for all - or even just most - of the season?
We'd still be in with a shout of the title, I reckon.
Said on another thread earlier in the week that with just Ramsey available all season I reckon we would, with all 4 in we'd have wrapped it up by Easter.
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Can you imagine if we'd had Mings, Ramsey, Kamara, and Buendia available for all - or even just most - of the season?
We'd still be in with a shout of the title, I reckon.
I don't think that's controversial at all. That we've been able to do what we've done so far is absolutely amazing with all the injuries.
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Newcastle fans probably say the same thing but they're deluded obvs.
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I think this will be incredibly hard. Bournemouth are a good side anyway, but we’ve got to recover from the physical pain and emotional high of yesterday. Players will need to dig deep as it’s a massively important game.
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Martinez
Cash Konsa Torres Digne
Bailey McGinn Tielemans Rogers
Watkins Duran
I'd go with Diego and Torres together and Ezri at RB. Carlos was immense against Arsenal.
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I think this will be incredibly hard. Bournemouth are a good side anyway, but we’ve got to recover from the physical pain and emotional high of yesterday. Players will need to dig deep as it’s a massively important game.
What was it Leicester used for recovery between games in their title-winning season...was it ice-baths, cryochambers and beetroot soup or something?!
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I think this will be incredibly hard. Bournemouth are a good side anyway, but we’ve got to recover from the physical pain and emotional high of yesterday. Players will need to dig deep as it’s a massively important game.
What was it Leicester used for recovery between games in their title-winning season...was it ice-baths, cryochambers and beetroot soup or something?!
Far Eastern betting syndicates.
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Bournemouth have won 4 of their last 14 league games. Burnley, Luton, Everton, Palace. The latter 3 they laboured to wins against. There's fuck all to fear if we go in with the right attitude and performance.
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I think this will be incredibly hard. Bournemouth are a good side anyway, but we’ve got to recover from the physical pain and emotional high of yesterday. Players will need to dig deep as it’s a massively important game.
What was it Leicester used for recovery between games in their title-winning season...was it ice-baths, cryochambers and beetroot soup or something?!
I think it was a pizza
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Bournemouth have won 4 of their last 14 league games. Burnley, Luton, Everton, Palace. The latter 3 they laboured to wins against. There's fuck all to fear if we go in with the right attitude and performance.
Brentford were even worse though, certainly away from home. We shouldn't have too much to worry about, but it depends on what Villa turn up. Second half v Arsenal Villa, and we could be out of sight by half time. First half away at Lille, Villa, and Solanke hat trick incoming.
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Brentford's form was a bit false though as they had their frontline out for most of it who were all back for our game.
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I think this will be incredibly hard. Bournemouth are a good side anyway, but we’ve got to recover from the physical pain and emotional high of yesterday. Players will need to dig deep as it’s a massively important game.
What was it Leicester used for recovery between games in their title-winning season...was it ice-baths, cryochambers and beetroot soup or something?!
I think it was a pizza
Soapy massages, I heard.
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Can you imagine if we'd had Mings, Ramsey, Kamara, and Buendia available for all - or even just most - of the season?
We'd still be in with a shout of the title, I reckon.
Agree on this , but also a bit unrealistic to expect no key injuries in a season. That said i think we are a top 3 side .
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Narrow win
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Any one know of Bars in Madrid that will have the game on?
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Id throw kesler in this one tbh guve cash a break as hw dont look 100% fit to me. Last thing we nwed is him getting injured again.
Carlos for konsa
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I'd be surprised if Cash plays after 120 mins straight after a few weeks out.
3-1
He can play another 60 mins. Can't cope with Konsa at RB. I think it's nearly certain Carlos will come back into the team and probably Moreno too after sitting out Thursday night.
From looking back to the return fixture earlier in the season, the likes of Carlos, Konsa and Tielemans were appalling and Watkins brilliant header saved an undeserved point. Left flank remains a problem, assuming Zaniolo will be out. I'd like to keep Rogers centre if at all possible like v Arsenal. Duran up with Watkins, I'm not sure it's ever worked. If Ollie is fatigued then give Duran 60 mins. Diaby only option for last spot I think. Worked v Wolves.
Martinez
Cash, Carlos, Torres, Moreno
Tielemans, McGinn
Bailey, Diaby
Rogers, Watkins
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I thought Moreno is out for 3 weeks.
Expect Carlos to be bought in to handle Solanke.
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Five at the back to ease in KKH
Shithouser
KKH
Ezri
DC
Pau
Digne
Tiels
SJM
Morgs
Ollie
Leon
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Martinez
Konsa Carlos Torres Digne
Diaby McGinn Tielemans Rogers
Watkins Duran
Bailey, Iroegbunam, Cash, Kellyman on as subs
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Teams news for them, no Sinisterra but Semenyo might be back in training and available.
Team news from us. Too early to say and he will know tomorrow. But no one definitely ruled out.
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Hopefully yesterday was a consciously “down” display, because there wasn’t much energy there and we’ll need to be better against Bournemouth.
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I think we'll win.
FTF 8)
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Hopefully yesterday was a consciously “down” display, because there wasn’t much energy there and we’ll need to be better against Bournemouth.
Agreed. Sometimes get the impression with Emery that he instructs us to coast through large parts of games because he's looking at the bigger picture of success in 2 comps.
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I'm worried. It feels like the best Villa doesn't turn up for the Bournemouth at home fixtures. The shit one does. 1-0 would be fantastic.
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The level of performance from Doug has dropped somewhat, I noticed this during the Brentford Nylons game where he got booked, and in the two European games he hasn't been at it for me.
I thought both Tielemans and SJM were outstanding at Woolwich and moving the latter out wide last night to accommodate Doug (which we'd all probably do) negated his effectiveness. So that pair in the middle is essential on Sunday. I've no doubt Doug will regain his form but his absence might actually help at the moment.
Zaniolo acted the prick again yesterday, his substitution helped in that Morgan is a better player (already) so he should start, and Bailey for Diaby.
These two home games are a fabulous opportunity to put some distance between us and Spurs that we need to take. Tiredness may come into it but I expect the atmosphere to be great despite it being a Sunday and I can't wait.
These are the days.
2-1
Agree with all of this.
Watkins and Bailey the scorers
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I agree with that. I thought Luiz was poor yesterday.
Similarly, I have been very impressed by Rogers. Altough it is very early, I like the look of him. He is cool in possession and is progressive in his running and passing.
For a lad who has progressed from the championship, I think he has made an excellent start in a Villa shirt.
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He also looks like he's having the time of his life.
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Any one know of Bars in Madrid that will have the game on?
I used to watch Villa games in O'Neills Calle Princípe when I lived there, it's where I saw the League Cup Final in 2010.
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Teams news for them, no Sinisterra but Semenyo might be back in training and available.
Team news from us. Too early to say and he will know tomorrow. But no one definitely ruled out.
Doug is still out through suspension I think. Hopefully no new knocks. We need everyone raring to go again. Massive opportunity to put 6 points between us and Spurs with them playing Arsenal and Chelsea followed by Liverpool.
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He also looks like he's having the time of his life.
He really does, massive beamer on his face all the time. The other players seem to really like him
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Any one know of Bars in Madrid that will have the game on?
I used to watch Villa games in O'Neills Calle Princípe when I lived there, it's where I saw the League Cup Final in 2010.
Cheers mate. Will check it out.
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Teams news for them, no Sinisterra but Semenyo might be back in training and available.
Team news from us. Too early to say and he will know tomorrow. But no one definitely ruled out.
Doug is still out through suspension I think. Hopefully no new knocks. We need everyone raring to go again. Massive opportunity to put 6 points between us and Spurs with them playing Arsenal and Chelsea followed by Liverpool.
I was mentioning Unai stated too soon to see if anyone picked up anything to rule them out. Doug being out is a given. They also don't have Tavener either who went off against Luton.
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Any one know of Bars in Madrid that will have the game on?
I used to watch Villa games in O'Neills Calle Princípe when I lived there, it's where I saw the League Cup Final in 2010.
Cheers mate. Will check it out.
Going to be hard to find one with a Manure FA Cup Semi at almost the same time. No idea why they didn't have everyone kickoff at 1400 like normal.
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Doug is obviously being coached by Alisha. His mind seems to be on other things just now!!
I hear that she's coaching him in Lehmann's terms, so he should understand ;)
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As has been mentioned, I'm much more confident with Dougie out so McGinn will be in the middle. I'm more concerned when he's back and it's back to Luiz and Youri together, but we'll cross that bridge when it comes to it.
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Victory.
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Wouldn't suprise me if we dropped points tomorrow aftee that gruelling game
Id take a jammy 1-0 win any day for this. Good thing is for chelsea game we have a whole week off while chelsea have cup game and another game tuesday.
Will be a tiring week for them
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Since November 11th, Bournemouth have the 5th most points in the League. We have the 4th most.
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We need big performances in the next two games. IF we win the next two we’ll be 9 points clear of Spurs by the time they next play. Irrespective of the fact they will have 3 games in hand that absolutely piles the pressure on them. So finding a way to win against Bournemouth and Chelsea would be massive.
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More than any other game this season, Villa need the 12th man to play a blinder tomorrow.
Just read the Cherries message board, initially they predicted a loss but after the Lille match they think fatigue will be a key factor and 3 points are up for grabs.
Come on you Villains, sing the boys to victory.
1-0
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We need big performances in the next two games. IF we win the next two we’ll be 9 points clear of Spurs by the time they next play.
If we win the next two, I'll be straight onto Amazon. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Eyewitness-Munich-Pocket-Travel-Guide/dp/0241612489/
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This game is much more important than Thursday was!
Definitely isn’t
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This game is much more important than Thursday was!
Definitely isn’t
Agreed, if we're losing to Bournemouth in the 86th minute, I won't be as disconsolate as I was on Thursday.
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This game is much more important than Thursday was!
Definitely isn’t
Agreed, if we're losing to Bournemouth in the 86th minute, I won't be as disconsolate as I was on Thursday.
I will.
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I'd have been more gutted going out Thursday than I will be if we lose to Bournemouth.
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I think under Emery, Thursdays game was the most important… up until the shootout ended. After that, Sunday’s became the most important.
Which is how it’s going to have to be.
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I’ll be pretty much as annoyed if we’re losing to Bournemouth, but with distance if I were comparing the two I’d imagine the quarter final would have hurt more. Hopefully we’ll win this one and it’ll be a moot debate.
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For me it's that on Thursday that's it. No second chance, no trophy, it's over. Bournemouth would be very frustrating but there's still more games to come, far from over.
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I think we have a big part to play tomorrow. Can’t be flat or quiet.
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I thought Bournemouth were higher up the table than they are. I suppose with the right results around them they could still make a last ditch effort for Europe, but I had the idea that they were fighting for a spot in the same way we are. Doesn't make a difference, I suppose, they're still a decent enough team with a few dangerous players.
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I'd have been more gutted going out Thursday than I will be if we lose to Bournemouth.
Totally the opposite for me . Lose tomorrow and it negates all the brilliant work done last weekend and hands the initiative back to Spurs . Tomorrow is huge for us as a club.
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I'd have been more gutted going out Thursday than I will be if we lose to Bournemouth.
Totally the opposite for me . Lose tomorrow and it negates all the brilliant work done last weekend and hands the initiative back to Spurs . Tomorrow is huge for us as a club.
Feels like a few times this season we've done something massive and then not quite undone it, but failed to capitalise on it. 3 points tomorrow would be a massive 3 points and continue to put the pressure on Spurs.
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Up until the 85th minute I'd convinced myself that tomorrow was more important for all the reasons already mentioned.
Now I don't know.
Champions league and a semi final defeat, or a cup and Europa. I still can't make up my mind (I know these aren't the only 2 possible outcomes)
If FFP wasn't a complete pile of spunk potentially forcing us to sell our better players to the teams we're trying to compete with, then it's the trophy all day long. But as it is, 4th might set us up better for a couple of trophy's in Emery’s next few seasons with us.
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Their forwards had us chasing shadows down there before Christmas - and that was at a time when we were in good form.
Solanke, Kluivert and Semenyo all looked decent that day and it's no surprise their results have been good from Nov onwards
After the euphoria/ relief from Thurs, it's two goals conceded again by us. Even with a fully fit side this would be tough. I expect us to concede, it's just whether we have enough in the tank to bother them. I'd take any sort of win at all. Performance level matters not a jot at this stage.
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I usually understand both sides of an emotional decision involving Villa. Such as the old “should we stay or go” re: Villa Park.
Two things I’ll always struggle to get my head around, country before club supporters and people wanting CL qualification over winning a trophy.
Doesn’t matter too much though, because we’ll do both.
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I usually understand both sides of an emotional decision involving Villa. Such as the old “should we stay or go” re: Villa Park.
Two things I’ll always struggle to get my head around, country before club supporters and people wanting CL qualification over winning a trophy.
Doesn’t matter too much though, because we’ll do both.
It boils down to ambition. If we want to be the massive club we all think we are, we simply have to be in the CL - that’s where the money is, the best players are, and the most prestigious trophy is. The truly big clubs - Real Madrid, Bayern, Barcelona, etc would never swap the odd trophy for CL - for them, the latter is where they have to be. We should aspire to the same and, we are within touching distance (finally).
Now is the time. Tomorrow is a HUGE game - in my opinion, our biggest game since the Wembley play off final in terms possible consequences on future income, the type of players we can attract, FFP, Unai wanting to stay etc.
Win and the pressure is well and truly on Tottenham and I think they will crumble.
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Wish they made this a Monday game. That would haved help massobely with fatigue but of course no help from PL
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I usually understand both sides of an emotional decision involving Villa. Such as the old “should we stay or go” re: Villa Park.
Two things I’ll always struggle to get my head around, country before club supporters and people wanting CL qualification over winning a trophy.
Doesn’t matter too much though, because we’ll do both.
It boils down to ambition. If we want to be the massive club we all think we are, we simply have to be in the CL - that’s where the money is, the best players are, and the most prestigious trophy is. The truly big clubs - Real Madrid, Bayern, Barcelona, etc would never swap the odd trophy for CL - for them, the latter is where they have to be. We should aspire to the same and, we are within touching distance (finally).
Now is the time. Tomorrow is a HUGE game - in my opinion, our biggest game since the Wembley play off final in terms possible consequences on future income, the type of players we can attract, FFP, Unai wanting to stay etc.
Win and the pressure is well and truly on Tottenham and I think they will crumble.
Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern have probably won 100 trophies between them, since we last won one. Suggesting we are within touching distance of them is massively premature. If Newcastle had have won the FA Cup this or last year, they’d not be telling their grandkids in the future about the time they finished 4th in their Champions League group.
My ambition ends at winning trophies. Once that begins to be taken over by my dream of increasing revenue, I think I’ll give up.
Don’t get me wrong, qualifying for the Champions League will be amazing and it MIGHT bring all the things you suggest, but I’d take any major trophy over it.
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We need to have this wrapped up by half-time so when the inevitable tiredness hits we are already home and dry.
I also agree on the Luiz comments, he appears to be playing below his normal levels at the mo.
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I usually understand both sides of an emotional decision involving Villa. Such as the old “should we stay or go” re: Villa Park.
Two things I’ll always struggle to get my head around, country before club supporters and people wanting CL qualification over winning a trophy.
Doesn’t matter too much though, because we’ll do both.
It boils down to ambition. If we want to be the massive club we all think we are, we simply have to be in the CL - that’s where the money is, the best players are, and the most prestigious trophy is. The truly big clubs - Real Madrid, Bayern, Barcelona, etc would never swap the odd trophy for CL - for them, the latter is where they have to be. We should aspire to the same and, we are within touching distance (finally).
Now is the time. Tomorrow is a HUGE game - in my opinion, our biggest game since the Wembley play off final in terms possible consequences on future income, the type of players we can attract, FFP, Unai wanting to stay etc.
Win and the pressure is well and truly on Tottenham and I think they will crumble.
Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern have probably won 100 trophies between them, since we last won one. Suggesting we are within touching distance of them is massively premature. If Newcastle had have won the FA Cup this or last year, they’d not be telling their grandkids in the future about the time they finished 4th in their Champions League group.
My ambition ends at winning trophies. Once that begins to be taken over by my dream of increasing revenue, I think I’ll give up.
Don’t get me wrong, qualifying for the Champions League will be amazing and it MIGHT bring all the things you suggest, but I’d take any major trophy over it.
With you here.
I get the point about potentially losing some of our very best player if we don’t qualify for the champions league. However, this to be an ambition driven by fear, I’d rather having the hope of winning something.
As an aside, I don’t the whole thing is binary. I dont think at this stage of the season with this manager, striving for one will negate succeeding in the other.
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1996, 1994, 1982, 1977, 1975, 1961 and 1957.
Without looking it up, I bet the majority here know what we won in each of those years.
Not one of us could say precisely where we finished in the league in each of those seasons.
Trophies and glory every time.
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4th, 11th, 11th, 4th, 2nd, not sure, 15th, is my off the top of my head guesses.
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I usually understand both sides of an emotional decision involving Villa. Such as the old “should we stay or go” re: Villa Park.
Two things I’ll always struggle to get my head around, country before club supporters and people wanting CL qualification over winning a trophy.
Doesn’t matter too much though, because we’ll do both.
It boils down to ambition. If we want to be the massive club we all think we are, we simply have to be in the CL - that’s where the money is, the best players are, and the most prestigious trophy is. The truly big clubs - Real Madrid, Bayern, Barcelona, etc would never swap the odd trophy for CL - for them, the latter is where they have to be. We should aspire to the same and, we are within touching distance (finally).
Now is the time. Tomorrow is a HUGE game - in my opinion, our biggest game since the Wembley play off final in terms possible consequences on future income, the type of players we can attract, FFP, Unai wanting to stay etc.
Win and the pressure is well and truly on Tottenham and I think they will crumble.
Nail on head .
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No fucking about: three points, make them run around after the ball. Ice baths all round after. FTF!
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1996, 1994, 1982, 1977, 1975, 1961 and 1957.
Without looking it up, I bet the majority here know what we won in each of those years.
Not one of us could say precisely where we finished in the league in each of those seasons.
Trophies and glory every time.
That’s a really good post! I hold my hands up, I know what we got.
I know we were second in whenever it was (92/93) that the PL began and more importantly, that we was robbed.
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There will undoubtedly be injuries next season as well so, would like to be in Champions League but, not sure we would go too far in that competition, realistically. On the other hand, if we win the conference league that achievement can never be taken away from us.
So, try to do both but, not the end of the world if we don’t. Any extra revenue from the CL would only go to boost the players pockets, like they don’t earn enough as it is.
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If we lose tomorrow, the world doesn't end and our hunt to finish as high as we can doesn't either.
If we'd lost on Thursday that would have been it. Competition done.
I honestly hate that Sky have managed to manipulate so many people into thinking that finishing 4th in one competition is better than winning another.
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If we lose tomorrow, the world doesn't end and our hunt to finish as high as we can doesn't either.
If we'd lost on Thursday that would have been it. Competition done.
I honestly hate that Sky have managed to manipulate so many people into thinking that finishing 4th in one competition is better than winning another.
Yes!!!
If I had to choose one or the other it’s the trophy any day of the week.
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If we lose tomorrow, the world doesn't end and our hunt to finish as high as we can doesn't either.
If we'd lost on Thursday that would have been it. Competition done.
I honestly hate that Sky have managed to manipulate so many people into thinking that finishing 4th in one competition is better than winning another.
I agree. I was having a discussion with a younger Man Utd and Arsenal fans, both very reasonable. But very strange views which I wonder is a generational thing. They both genuinely believed that if Arsenal finished 3rd and got to the quarter finals of the champions league, they’d have had a better season than if Villa finished 4th and won the conference league. Mainly because the champions league was a higher level of competition?!?! Baffling, baffling stuff but that’s what they genuinely felt. That and any other cup competition being irrelevant. I blame sky entirely for engendering that attitude.
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For me it's that on Thursday that's it. No second chance, no trophy, it's over. Bournemouth would be very frustrating but there's still more games to come, far from over.
That's my view too, and dare I say, the correct answer.
*Other opinions are available.
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Villa’s team coach will arrive at approximately 1.30pm and park on Trinity Road outside the gates to the forecourt. The players will then enter the stadium through Trinity Road Stand reception, near the William McGregor statue and fan zone.
https://www.avfc.co.uk/news/2024/april/20/Matchday-Guide--Aston-Villa-v-Bournemouth/
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Get a win. I don’t care how, just win.
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Score early and then everyone just stand on the goal line. Sub off the attacking players for defenders and bring Olsen and Gaucci on too.
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One of these games where we need a crowd on it from the start. And also in the last 15 minutes if we're a goal up.
Think attacking the Holte first half wouldn't be a bad tactic either to try to get a fast start and then slow the game down from then.
This is going to be tricky as Semenyo-Solanke-Kluivert is full of pace and trickery and not really a trio you want to be facing after a long night on Thursday. Solanke isn't far off Ollie in the scoring charts so I think Carlos returns and Kons will move back to RB. In ideal world I'd give Digne a breather but Moreno is injured.
They also press manically in midfield so I worry a bit about Tielemans energy levels, personally I'd bring in Tim for this one just to give us an extra player centrally and allow Tielemans to cover less ground and get on the ball in higher parts of the pitch.
It does feel a bit of a hangover 1-1 game I have to admit.
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Wish they made this a Monday game. That would haved help massobely with fatigue but of course no help from PL
Wolves-Bournemouth is Wednesday so not possible.
If either team had made FA cup SF then the game would've been postponed and probably re-arranged for the last midweek of the season.
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Score early and then everyone just stand on the goal line. Sub off the attacking players for defenders and bring Olsen and Gaucci on too.
This is a perfect tactic!
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Think this is going to be a very tough game and I expect us to be dead on our feet.
Would take any kind of win.
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Wish they made this a Monday game. That would haved help massobely with fatigue but of course no help from PL
Wolves-Bournemouth is Wednesday so not possible.
If either team had made FA cup SF then the game would've been postponed and probably re-arranged for the last midweek of the season.
Thanks didnt know that
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Today is much bigger game than Thursday for me and I hope Thursday efforts haven’t compromised.
Now we have come so far we have to make sure we finish in top four,
Conference is providing memories but in essence it’s a Plate Competition.
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I wonder if Bailey is a doubt? I saw yesterday that he was lucky to be involved in the week and wasn’t even expected to be on the plain let alone come one and put in that performance of his.
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A trophy would be magnificent. A European one, after the last 15 years we have endured would be incredible.
But, like it or not, CL is what the club NEEDS to move forward for the revenue and recruitment it brings.
It’s also a pretty special competition to be involved in.
We are so, so close to it now. It might be another 10 years before we get this close again, if at all.
We must, must, must take this opportunity.
We need to.
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Qualifying for champions league would be transformational for the club. Winning the conference wouldn't be , it would be a nice moment that's about it. That isn't sky brainwashing me either it's basic maths and common sense .
UTFV.
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Ending the season 5th and with a trophy would definitely "feel" better than 4th and no trophy, but my head also knows that finishing 4th could let the club take a pretty big step towards establishing itself in Europe for the next decade. So it's a case of heart wanting a trophy, vs head knowing the best thing for the club in the medium term is finishing 4th.
Obviously both is the dream :-)
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Ending the season 5th and with a trophy would definitely "feel" better than 4th and no trophy, but my head also knows that finishing 4th could let the club take a pretty big step towards establishing itself in Europe for the next decade. So it's a case of heart wanting a trophy, vs head knowing the best thing for the club in the medium term is finishing 4th.
Obviously both is the dream :-)
I think if you offered me the option of guaranteeing either one or the other, but it meant the other didn't happen I'd probably take the deal.
Both would be nice. But either one in isolation would make it a fantasic season.
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It doesn't have to be either/or. We're odds-on to finish fourth and favourites for the Conference. That's the sort of level we aspire to, so we have to go into every game believing we can win.
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I think this will be really tough, would have been without the midweek exertions. We’ll need to be right at it and get some luck. This is one of those games we really need to win.
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Winning the Conference and securing Europa League would also help move the club forward financially. Not as much as the CL, obviously, but it's perhaps a more steady trajectory to be on, and would mean we spend the summer building for one step up rather than two. Maybe that's an overly cautious view to have, but I look at West Ham compared to Newcastle this season and I think WH are having the better year, and with a more exciting coach they'd probably be looking even better.
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It’s a tough game today for two reasons. One being we are on a high from doing Arsenal and the sheer exhilaration of the win on Thursday , these two facts may have an impact on “doing it again in a routine game”. Second being the obvious tiredness on our side with very few options for Unai to refresh and opposition have had a nice easy week and achieved their targets this season.
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It doesn't have to be either/or. We're odds-on to finish fourth and favourites for the Conference. That's the sort if level we aspire to, so we have to go into every game believing we can win.
Exactly this. 5 league games to go, and two, potentially three European games. We've got to believe we can win every one of them. Yes we've played a lot of games, but the likes of McGinn and Luiz have just had disciplinary enforced rests, Cash has been out for a while, Digne has been rotating with Moreno etc, so managed right we can do this. It's not one or the other, it's both, let's do it, starting today.
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And let's stop looking for reasons why games will be hard and why the other team are always up for it. We're eight games from history and if that doesn't motivate the players they shouldn't be playing.
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It doesn't have to be either/or. We're odds-on to finish fourth and favourites for the Conference. That's the sort of level we aspire to, so we have to go into every game believing we can win.
I didn't say that it had to be. I said that I'd take one or the other if offered right now.
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If you are going today make the extra effort to get behind the team. We will play our part in getting them over the line. UTV
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I wonder if Bailey is a doubt? I saw yesterday that he was lucky to be involved in the week and wasn’t even expected to be on the plain let alone come one and put in that performance of his.
Really struggling for options if he's out. Is Zaniolo involved as you'd think he'd be struggling given he was stretchered off on Thursday.
So if we continue with 4-2-3-1 that leaves Diaby, Rogers.....? So we'd have to bring Tim in or move Cash to RW, neither is ideal.
This is a very awkward fixture, more leaning towards a draw now.
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I wonder if Bailey is a doubt? I saw yesterday that he was lucky to be involved in the week and wasn’t even expected to be on the plain let alone come one and put in that performance of his.
Really struggling for options if he's out. Is Zaniolo involved as you'd think he'd be struggling given he was stretchered off on Thursday.
Looked to me like he was winded when he landed heavily. He was walking around happily enough during the celebrations at the end.
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John McGinn was unusually awful the other night: hopefully he'll have a blinder (and even score!) so he can prove a point!
I suspect a score draw, but I'll take 1-0 us. Bournemouth tend to make things tough for us.
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It doesn't have to be either/or. We're odds-on to finish fourth and favourites for the Conference. That's the sort of level we aspire to, so we have to go into every game believing we can win.
I didn't say that it had to be. I said that I'd take one or the other if offered right now.
And equally, I didn't say you did. I think we need to get rid of our fatalistic attitude.
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I think this is an opportunity to start like a raging bull and go 2 or 3 goals ahead within 30mins and then close out the game using every trick in the book. At this stage I’m not bothered about pretty patterns of play I just want the points for the end game. Stick 10 behind the ball come 65mins and disrupt play, subs, shithousery etc. I’m going to remember the 3 points when I look at the table not the midfield kept hoofing it vs Cherries.
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Couple of early goals and a clean sheet please.
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Don't know anything about Bournemouth's manager Antoni Iraola other than he's doing a very good job and seems to have got the best out of Solanke.
As for my preference of winning the Conference or top 4, I don't have one, I'm equally desperate to win both.
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Must admit I’m tired of the mentality that is has to be either/or rather than as Dave W says both. If we aim to be the club we feel we can be then this type of self doubt needs to stop. I realise it’s a good discussion topic but do fans from other
Clubs in our position have this constant doubt as to their ability. All I know is the evidence that Unai Emery has put before us over the last 18 months. Every time we doubt him and the team they prove us wrong time and time again. Go ahead in a game and we very rarely lose or even draw for that matter. Whenever we have a bad result or two we invariably bounce back with a winning run of 4 or 5 games. I realise the last 30 years has maybe conditioned us to never delivering when it really matters but the evidence is there in front of us and we seem to be ignoring it.
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Get a win. I don’t care how, just win.
Yeah but you always want us to play well too!
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Get a win. I don’t care how, just win.
Yeah but you always want us to play well too!
I’ll park that for today!
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As an absolute minimum we need to win three more league matches. This is arguably the easiest of the home games, but it is on the back of two emotionally and physically draining away games. I'd be happy with a 1-0 or 2-1.
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I'll be happy with a 4-0 win, Villa Park rocking, Spurs hanging out the white flag and us being linked to some top quality players who want to play CL football next season. Winning the Conference goes without saying.