Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: Footy-Vill on August 14, 2024, 08:29:36 PM
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For the discussion of opinion and views of pundit and media of our beloved Aston Villa this season.
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Firstly some Aston Villa League Position Pundit Prediction.
These are pundits who think Villa finish top 4
Micheal Owen: Aston Villa 3rd
I’m going to go for Arsenal first, Liverpool second, Aston Villa third and Manchester City fourth.
Teddy Sheringham : 3rd
Stephen Warnock: 4th
I still think Villa will finish in the top four. Yes (even with Champions League commitments) because of the strength in depth that they have got over the summer. I think they have done really good business in the transfer window. I still think they will do a little bit more as well.”
Ian Wright: 4th
"You can't not have Villa in the top four. Not with the way they've been moving and the signings they've made.I thought Liverpool, but I've changed my mind. We're making predictions before we know everything, but Villa made a few really good signings.
Unai Emery knows what he's doing. They've got a goalscorer, a really good midfield. Onana has gone there, they have, Maatsen at left back and Konsa at the back. I'm telling you man, their whole spine is brilliant"
Roy Keane Aston Villa 4th
"Aston Villa to sneak in behind them and grab fourth spot. I don't think it'll be Spurs. Villa have got more chance than Spurs
I think Emery used to European football that manager, he knows it"
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Nice idea for a thread, FV. It's interesting that the pundits seem more confident than me this year. Normally I'd say that I have a better idea about Villa than they do, but given how many players we've signed that I dont really know, that may not be the case this season. Hopefully they're right.
Incidentally, not worthy of its own thread but this seems a decent place for it, I see Troy "pass" Deeney has replaced Garth Crooks as the BBC's Team of the Week picker. Will he deliberately avoid picking Villa players or over-compensate and go the other way, I wonder.
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These pundits see Villa finishing in top 6
Jamie Carragher 6th
Tim Sherwood
Shay Given
Karen Carney
Leon Osman
These pundits see Villa finish Outside top 6
Darren Bent
Mark Schwarzer
Don Hutchison
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Nice idea for a thread, FV. It's interesting that the pundits seem more confident than me this year. Normally I'd say that I have a better idea about Villa than they do, but given how many players we've signed that I dont really know, that may not be the case. Hopefully they're right.
Stephen Warnock speaks sense!! and highly rates us which is encouraging after his accuracy last season I'm with him!
Owen said this the other day:
https://www.football365.com/news/michael-owen-aston-villa-finish-above-man-city-top-four-prediction
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Warnock, I think, was the only one who backed us from the start last season.
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Warnock came across quite well last season. I'm unable to take Michael Owen seriously as I can't help remembering his gleeful celebrations as he kept smashing the ball into the net past a broken child.
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Sam Allardyce and Kevin Nolan
No tippy tappy football podcast
https://x.com/NoTippyTappyPod/status/1823715447016952120/mediaViewer?currentTweet=1823715447016952120¤tTweetUser=NoTippyTappyPod
Sam Allardyce and Kevin Nolan
Kevin Nolan says Villa would be 8th but actually then thought between Newcastle, Chelsea Spurs , Man Utd and Villa could be any order.
49mins on
On the podcast Sam Allardyce says will drop from 4th
https://open.spotify.com/episode/6IHfGr3D9ZIYghCr924wXt
Big Sam mentions demands of Champions League and "This financial fair play rubbish" meant Villa had to sell Douglas Luiz
Said Emery should be saying "I need 5 top quality players this season to cope- otherwise he'll lose his job!
It happened to Dean Smith when lost too many key players "
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Darren Lewis at The Mirror said we'll be title contenders. Like I said he works for The Mirror.
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I'm unable to take Michael Owen seriously as I can't help remembering his gleeful celebrations as he kept smashing the ball into the net past a broken child.
I'm unable to take anyone seriously who's only watched 10 films by the age of 40.
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Incidentally, not worthy of its own thread but this seems a decent place for it, I see Troy "pass" Deeney has replaced Garth Crooks as the BBC's Team of the Week picker. Will he deliberately avoid picking Villa players or over-compensate and go the other way, I wonder.
"Watkins and Toney are two of the players I am expecting big things from this season"
I feel Deeney itching to see Watkins 'fail' even a lesser goal tally than 19 and he'll be bringing up the whole winger not a striker comment from last season!
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The Athletic totally football podcast section of who do you think will finish top 4 it's rather galling to hear discussion all about Man Utd , then Chelsea then Spurs and minimal Villa
However Tom Williams on the podcast at least says Villa will finish 3rd this season.
https://open.spotify.com/episode/1MTq3IsVkfTMPTkDWJZlRC
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Jordan Jarret Bryan, who is usually moaning about Villa fans, has us 2nd. Maybe that is him just positioning himself to gloat at us if we fail, I don't trust him. 🤔
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Some of these predictions seem a bit optimistic, I must say. But then I suppose Liverpool haven't signed anyone and have a new manager, so they're a bit of an unknown. Chelsea will likely have all the same problems as last season, and even if they carry on as they left off, they've a long way to go to get back to the top. Man U have added a few, but again, had more problems than just players last season, can't see them suddenly being consistently brilliant.
Haven't been paying attention to Newcastle so no idea what they're looking like. Spurs have added Solanke which could be a good signing, but they're still Spurs and unless they have learned a back up to AngeBall, they'll likely be in and around the same spots as last season.
Unless they actually do something about Man City's charges, I'm thinking it's them v Arsenal for the title again, but I think 3rd is now as open as 4th/5th was last season. So maybe those predictions aren't as optimistic as I first thought.
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I think this is a good idea, although the persecution complex and howls of bias will increase greatly.
Led by me more often than not...
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I think this is a good idea, although the persecution complex and howls of bias will increase greatly.
Led by me more often than not...
Thanks Nev
Yes it’s good to have a place to discuss the pundits and media perspective and what’s being said.
Dublin is always supportive as of course Agbonlahor and Hendrie naturally promoting our corner.
Keown often knows the deal with Villa and how big we are and supportive comments unless playing Arsenal!
There’s also a lot of ex pros /pundits who are respectful of Villa
Btw I thought it was super Talksport were live from Bodymoor heath yesterdy.
And all the coverage.
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Here are 30 BBC TV and radio pundits top four, with explanations for their selections.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cp8nkkwjk39o
Aston Villa are selected by Stephen Warnock and Rachel Fin Brown
Predict 4th
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Incidentally, not worthy of its own thread but this seems a decent place for it, I see Troy "pass" Deeney has replaced Garth Crooks as the BBC's Team of the Week picker. Will he deliberately avoid picking Villa players or over-compensate and go the other way, I wonder.
"Watkins and Toney are two of the players I am expecting big things from this season"
I feel Deeney itching to see Watkins 'fail' even a lesser goal tally than 19 and he'll be bringing up the whole winger not a striker comment from last season!
Troy Deeney: I said through gritted teeth that Unai Emery was my manager of the year last season but I think Villa have got worse by losing Douglas Luiz. They have brought in Amadou Onana, who is a real powerhouse, but I am not sure he is a footballer in the way they play. The biggest reason they won't make the top four though, is because they have got Champions League football this season. I think they will finish sixth or seventh.
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Warnock, I think, was the only one who backed us from the start last season.
Warnock, I think, was the only one who backed us from the start last season.
This season Stephen Warnock says : The pressure is on after I got the top four spot on last season, but I am going with Villa to finish fourth again, because they have strengthened really well over the summer. We talked last year about Newcastle not being able to handle Champions League football, but Eddie Howe was new to it.
Emery is not new to it, he has done it all before, and managed squads in multiple competitions. Let's be honest, he did it last time despite having a lot of injuries at the end of the season.
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BBC Chris Sutton on Villa
It will be difficult for them to maintain their level. Emery did a brilliant job and his teams are so well structured. They also have that belief and a fantastic support. They will be in contention but I don't think they will stay in the top four.
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Mr Bent has us to finish in the last eight of the CL.
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BBC Chris Sutton on Villa
It will be difficult for them to maintain their level. Emery did a brilliant job and his teams are so well structured. They also have that belief and a fantastic support. They will be in contention but I don't think they will stay in the top four.
Agree with every word of that.
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Ah, and here it is, The Guardian's first "10 things to look out for..." of the new season. This weeks effort is so negative, it could have been written by one of us lot.
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Chris Sutton, Jamie Carragher have predicted West Ham 1-1 Aston Villa . Merson also thinks a draw.
Chris Sutton :
For Aston Villa, the question is whether they can hit the heights of last season again.
It is going to be difficult for them to combine a top-four challenge with Champions League football once that gets started, and there might be some bumps in the road.
This is a difficult one to call because there are reasons to back both teams, so I am going to go with a draw.
Paul Merson "If you're City, Arsenal or Liverpool and you take four out of six points off Aston Villa, that's a bonus. Those are points that you have gained on your competitors. They're a difficult team to beat but they're in the Champions League."
"This will be a long season for them and they're not used to it," he added as warning. "Some of the players have not played in Europe at all. Aston Villa have a very good manager, however, and that will make a difference."
He concluded: "This will be a difficult game for both teams. West Ham have bought well but their players will have to gel well together. A draw will be a good result for both sides this weekend."
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Lewis Jones Sky Sports Predicts 2-1 defeat v West Ham
"Despite their incredible season where Champions League football was achieved, they still picked up 39 injuries last season - the fourth highest of any team.
Champions League football will take a physical and mental toll on the Premier League campaign. Villa ended last season very badly too. Over the last 17 Premier League games, they've averaged a per-90 expected goals against figure of 1.95 which was is the fourth worst in the Premier League. And the last 10 games in the form table shows they were 12th"
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Merson talks some tripe.
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Ah, and here it is, The Guardian's first "10 things to look out for..." of the new season. This weeks effort is so negative, it could have been written by one of us lot.
I know it's probably me being parochial and shit, but it really feels like that rag is desperate for us to come unstuck so a) they don't have to pretend to be interested in us and b) Manchester United can take their rightful place back.
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Wtf is Merson talking about? Man City, Arsenal and Liverpool?
What the hell have they got to do with the result of West Ham v Aston Villa?
On a side note, that Jones fella from Sky is a prediction guru who gets a hell of a lot of things right, including number of cards, offsides, corners and things like that.
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Ah, and here it is, The Guardian's first "10 things to look out for..." of the new season. This weeks effort is so negative, it could have been written by one of us lot.
I know it's probably me being parochial and shit, but it really feels like that rag is desperate for us to come unstuck so a) they don't have to pretend to be interested in us and b) Manchester United can take their rightful place back.
Their original office is a Boots now next to the Arndale. I walk past it regular. Too fucking hot inside as well, soft Manc twats.
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Ah, and here it is, The Guardian's first "10 things to look out for..." of the new season. This weeks effort is so negative, it could have been written by one of us lot.
I know it's probably me being parochial and shit, but it really feels like that rag is desperate for us to come unstuck so a) they don't have to pretend to be interested in us and b) Manchester United can take their rightful place back.
Their original office is a Boots now next to the Arndale. I walk past it regular. Too fucking hot inside as well, soft Manc twats.
They don't need the offices much anyway, Jamie Jackson works from the ringpiece of whoever is manager at Old Trafford.
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The logic behind various journalists and pundits selecting Newton Heath, Spurs and Chelsea to finish above us appears to be based on the fact that they are Newton Heath, Spurs and Chelsea and nothing much else.
The former is particularly fascinating, they were shit last season, spawned a cup win and the Manager was getting the boot. The manager has stayed on, a few backroom positions have been changed, they have made a few middling signings and let a few go and suddenly they are going to be a great team.
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So many 'do a Newcastle' comments I've read, with only Stephen Warnock pointing out that we have a manager vastly experienced at balancing league and Europe rather than a complete novice, and we managed it last season, with less players.
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The logic behind various journalists and pundits selecting Newton Heath, Spurs and Chelsea to finish above us appears to be based on the fact that they are Newton Heath, Spurs and Chelsea and nothing much else.
The former is particularly fascinating, they were shit last season, spawned a cup win and the Manager was getting the boot. The manager has stayed on, a few backroom positions have been changed, they have made a few middling signings and let a few go and suddenly they are going to be a great team.
Don't see Top 3 changing much - Liverpool maybe due to following a legend.
So we have big distraction of CL which is unusual for us and we also ran out of steam last season with extra games. We'd struggle massively without Emi or Ollie - the others we have a lot of quality but so do other teams
Emery will have to step up a level too to keep us in the Top4 mix.
Had Chelsea kept Poch I'd have thought they be ahead for sure. No idea how they will do under new bloke.
Spurs look to have made some good signings but they still can't defend for shit.
ManU well they'll need a good start because any minor slip up - say a draw tonight and the daggers will be out - lot depends on getting defence co-ordinated.
Newcastle not sure - if they get Guehi that be a major coup. West Ham could finish 6th or 16th. Locky could throw his toys out at anytime
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So many 'do a Newcastle' comments I've read, with only Stephen Warnock pointing out that we have a manager vastly experienced at balancing league and Europe rather than a complete novice, and we managed it last season, with less players.
Warnock seems to like Villa a lot which bearing in mind he played under 3 managers who basically didn't rate him and/or flat out disliked him is rather magnanimous. MON was especailly cnutish to him seemingly.
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"Doing a Newcastle" is at least better when we "did a Fulham" after promotion...
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"Doing a Newcastle" is at least better when we "did a Fulham" after promotion...
And we didn’t do that either!
We will surprise people again this year, top 4 for me.
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"Doing a Newcastle" is at least better when we "did a Fulham" after promotion...
And we didn’t do that either!
We will surprise people again this year, top 4 for me.
We shall and then some ! We mean business as Emery and the board what Champs Legaue football again. And that will be the objective.
The media in time will seemingly have to begrudgingly give Villa the fair share of attention! .
Indeed the doing a Newcastle now is like a cliche trotted out progressing from the doing a Fulham yet still it’s the same lack of attention to specific detail of Aston Villa
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"Doing a Newcastle" is at least better when we "did a Fulham" after promotion...
And we didn’t do that either!
We will surprise people again this year, top 4 for me.
We shall and then some ! We mean business as Emery and the board what Champs Legaue football again. And that will be the objective.
The media in time will seemingly have to begrudgingly give Villa the fair share of attention! .
Indeed the doing a Newcastle now is like a cliche trotted out progressing from the doing a Fulham yet still it’s the same lack of attention to specific detail of Aston Villa
Agree footy
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A quick scan and I didn't see it linked to but, with all the 30 BBC pundits, they have only two (Warnock and Finnis-Brown) putting us in the top four. Newcastle has more people suspecting a top four, which is surprising with the current lack of transfers for them.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cp8nkkwjk39o
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Former England players Steph Houghton, Theo Walcott and Joe Hart have joined BBC Sport's team of analysts across TV, radio and online for the new football season.
Walcott has been a decent pundit so far on hearing him speak articulately and with knowledge if a little pro Arsenal!
Joe Hart is truly awful so far from what I've heard and seen of him and is only useful if doing goal keeper analysis. Considering he was not deemed good enough for Guardiola and able to play out den the back then it's somewhat nonsensical when he comments on that!
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Football Focus: Dion Dublin predicts 6th and Steph Houghton predicts 5th for Aston Villa finishing place
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Jamie Redknapp seems to be in love with us
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The logic behind various journalists and pundits selecting Newton Heath, Spurs and Chelsea to finish above us appears to be based on the fact that they are Newton Heath, Spurs and Chelsea and nothing much else.
Saw SkySports Saturday Socials thing earlier and that Nieve woman off YouTube was giving her "Hot Take" prediction for the season and she basically said Spurs haven't addressed any of the issues they had last season, they're poor in defence, and haven't got enough depth to maintain the high intensity game Ange wants them to play. It doesn't feel like a hot take, it feels like someone whose actually been paying attention to them over the summer and is talking sense.
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Tommy Hitzlsperger posted on ‘X’ post-match:
Impressed with the attacking style of play of this #AVFC team. A joy to watch! Thanks #VillaTV for letting me be part of it.
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The logic behind various journalists and pundits selecting Newton Heath, Spurs and Chelsea to finish above us appears to be based on the fact that they are Newton Heath, Spurs and Chelsea and nothing much else.
Saw SkySports Saturday Socials thing earlier and that Nieve woman off YouTube was giving her "Hot Take" prediction for the season and she basically said Spurs haven't addressed any of the issues they had last season, they're poor in defence, and haven't got enough depth to maintain the high intensity game Ange wants them to play. It doesn't feel like a hot take, it feels like someone whose actually been paying attention to them over the summer and is talking sense.
She normally does talk sense.
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Nieve? Not Niamh? I doubt she's naive anyway.
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Nieve? Not Niamh? I doubt she's naive anyway.
Yeah, she spells it Nieve, but I believe her surname is Petruzziello, so I'm not 100% sure she's Irish.
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That Nieve is a Bolton fan I think and does a lot of blogging
she’s always worth a listen
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She did awards at the end of the year last year and gave Wayne Rooney managerial performance of the year for taking Birmingham City from 4th to 19th and saying he'd have made 11 substitutions if he could after a game where he made zero substitutions. She also gave Villa team of the year.
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Nieve? Not Niamh? I doubt she's naive anyway.
Yeah, she spells it Nieve, but I believe her surname is Petruzziello, so I'm not 100% sure she's Irish.
Her dad is Italian.
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That Nieve is a Bolton fan I think and does a lot of blogging
she’s always worth a listen
She's a Man United fan isn't she? At least I thought so.
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That Nieve is a Bolton fan I think and does a lot of blogging
she’s always worth a listen
She's a Man United fan isn't she? At least I thought so.
Bolton. She's brilliant and her vlogs are well worth a watch especially for those who like to see something that's not just PL.
Good to see NBC/Peacock football host Rebecca Lowe loves the Villa and after the West Ham game is predicting us to finish top 4. If I was a betting man I wouldn't rule her out of being the next MOTH host, though she's probably over qualified for the job. She understands football.
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Yeah, Lowe answered something like 4 of her 6 questions with something Villa-related, good for her.
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That Nieve is a Bolton fan I think and does a lot of blogging
she’s always worth a listen
She's a Man United fan isn't she? At least I thought so.
Bolton. She's brilliant and her vlogs are well worth a watch especially for those who like to see something that's not just PL.
Says Villa Park is her favourite ground if I remember rightly as well.
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The Guardian's post weekend "10 things...." focuses on Duran as far as our game is concerned which is fair enough, but the Newton Heath write up is something else, it could be printed in their match programme and no-one would bat an eye.
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The Graun love ManU and Arsenal because their fans are so knowledgeable and progressive.
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What happened to Sarah-Jane Mee?
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The Guardian's post weekend "10 things...." focuses on Duran as far as our game is concerned which is fair enough, but the Newton Heath write up is something else, it could be printed in their match programme and no-one would bat an eye.
It's always been bad with them but it seems to be worse than ever now. Maybe it just feels worse due to the juxtoposition between the fawning coverage and how shit they are in reality.
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That Nieve is a Bolton fan I think and does a lot of blogging
she’s always worth a listen
She's a Man United fan isn't she? At least I thought so.
Bolton. She's brilliant and her vlogs are well worth a watch especially for those who like to see something that's not just PL.
Good to see NBC/Peacock football host Rebecca Lowe loves the Villa and after the West Ham game is predicting us to finish top 4. If I was a betting man I wouldn't rule her out of being the next MOTH host, though she's probably over qualified for the job. She understands football.
She has a unique dead pan style about her which is endearing. I like her.
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The Guardian's post weekend "10 things...." focuses on Duran as far as our game is concerned which is fair enough, but the Newton Heath write up is something else, it could be printed in their match programme and no-one would bat an eye.
It's always been bad with them but it seems to be worse than ever now. Maybe it just feels worse due to the juxtoposition between the fawning coverage and how shit they are in reality.
Everyone I have spoken to referenced how poor they were and how it looked very much like last season yet the media are treating it like a new dawn, and did even before a ball was kicked.
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I watched Sky News an hour or so ago and as is their way they had Peter Shit for Brains Shilton on giving his opinion about the opening weekend. Of course he had an opinion on the two current best teams keepers. Emi didn't get a mention, that's Shilton for you. He even mentioned Pickford.
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Shilton is still alive/doing media work? Did his wife ever take him back in the end?
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Some barrel scraping that is, he's a thin skinned Brexit plum.
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Shilton is still alive/doing media work? Did his wife ever take him back in the end?
Devotes his time to gambling awareness along with his wife or something. I'm not sure it's the same wife or a new one. I really don't get why he's on as he is a complete imbecile.
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Catching up on the Graun pod season previews and that Jordan Jarret-Bryan seems to have abandoned his Villaphobic gimmick for a Villaphile gimmick, spewed endless love for us as a team and all-around club and predicted us to finish the season runners-up. Strange man.
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Catching up on the Graun pod season previews and that Jordan Jarret-Bryan seems to have abandoned his Villaphobic gimmick for a Villaphile gimmick, spewed endless love for us as a team and all-around club and predicted us to finish the season runners-up. Strange man.
I mentioned this earlier on in the thread and I have put my tin foil hat... I reckon he's over built us up so even if we still have a decent season but not quite get 4th for instance then he can gloat. "I thought these lot were good?" etc, it's the only reason I can think of. He's definitely a strange bloke.
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Stephen Warnock always has our back !
Villa vs West Ham
On his X account :
“VAR told to give clear and obvious if the ref makes a mistake.
He doesn’t see the touch from Cash, therefore it an error on field.
VAR surely has to step in.
Never a penalty. “
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I was recommended The Rest is football podcast which features Lineker. Alan Shearer and Micah Richards.
I won’t be listening again in a hurry
It’s rather staggering and completely ridiculous by This so called expert pundits of Football Podcast reviewing weekend matches not to even have a mention of West Ham and Villa!
It’s 33 minutes long and main focus is Chelsea , Man City, Liverpool
Titled ‘Chelseas Chaos , Slots Strengths and brilliant Brighton’
I find it perplexing why ignored to the degree we are. It’s actually staggering this particular podcast.
Even Spurs match v Leicester gets mentioned which hasn’t even taken place and that Lineker said Spurs will finish 4th
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Shilton is still alive/doing media work? Did his wife ever take him back in the end?
Is Stanley Bowles wife still with the milkman
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Shilton is still alive/doing media work? Did his wife ever take him back in the end?
Devotes his time to gambling awareness along with his wife or something. I'm not sure it's the same wife or a new one. I really don't get why he's on as he is a complete imbecile.
An utterly dull imbecile as well.
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I was recommended The Rest is football podcast which features Lineker. Alan Shearer and Micah Richards.
I won’t be listening again in a hurry
It’s rather staggering and completely ridiculous by This so called expert pundits of Football Podcast reviewing weekend matches not to even have a mention of West Ham and Villa!
It’s 33 minutes long and main focus is Chelsea , Man City, Liverpool
Titled ‘Chelseas Chaos , Slots Strengths and brilliant Brighton’
I find it perplexing why ignored to the degree we are. It’s actually staggering this particular podcast.
Even Spurs match v Leicester gets mentioned which hasn’t even taken place and that Lineker said Spurs will finish 4th
Whoever recommended it to you isn't your friend.
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I was recommended The Rest is football podcast which features Lineker. Alan Shearer and Micah Richards.
I won’t be listening again in a hurry
It’s rather staggering and completely ridiculous by This so called expert pundits of Football Podcast reviewing weekend matches not to even have a mention of West Ham and Villa!
It’s 33 minutes long and main focus is Chelsea , Man City, Liverpool
Titled ‘Chelseas Chaos , Slots Strengths and brilliant Brighton’
I find it perplexing why ignored to the degree we are. It’s actually staggering this particular podcast.
Even Spurs match v Leicester gets mentioned which hasn’t even taken place and that Lineker said Spurs will finish 4th
Whoever recommended it to you isn't your friend.
Any show with Micah is worth switching off. If and only if you have accidentally switched it on.
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Do Lineker, Micah and Shearer swear and act a lot nawtier than on the telly cos it's a podcast, where you can say wot you like an' appeal to de kidz an dat?
Aren't these cvnts over-exposed enough what with the interminable "Top 10..." segments they do for the iPlayer along with their usual punditry? How about the Beeb pay them £100k less each, and put it towards something more useful like fucking monkey tennis?
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[quote how about the Beeb pay them £100k less each, and put it towards something more useful like fucking monkey tennis?
[/quote]
That'd be ace
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Game set and match that comment.
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I still love the media ignoring us frankly.
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Gary Neville SkySports said
“I think for Villa, they look very good, there is no point in judging Villa, at this moment in time. They have got a very experienced manager who has been around the block and he knows this game about playing in Europe and playing at the weekend as well. It’s not new for Villa at all or for Unai Emery.
But the Champions League brings such a sense of occasion. It’s like an event. Even for teams who have played in it quite a few times when that music comes on. For Villa, and their fans, it will feel like a massive event, but then you have got to go to Ipswich away on a Saturday at 12:30 pm after it. That’s where you have to (adjust). You have played away somewhere, come back at three in the morning on a Thursday, and you feel like you are hungover even though you haven’t had a drink. That’s how you do feel in Europe sometimes.
Players are the same. You get up on a Friday morning, you feel well behind it and then you have to go and play again. That’s why the top clubs, the top players and the top teams, do it year in and year out. They just repeat that and are very good at it. It’s new for Villa, so it comes with that height, anxiety, expectation and the electricity it will bring. But it will sap them a little bit of energy and they have to deal with that. They have a very good manager to be able to do so.”
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I'd assume squad rotation will help with that. Like on Saturday there were several players who didn't even make the bench, for whatever reason. If you've got 3 or 4 players not even travelling to European away games, and 3 or 4 who travel but barely played, then you've got the guts of a starting line up that's fresh for the weekend.
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Incidentally, not worthy of its own thread but this seems a decent place for it, I see Troy "pass" Deeney has replaced Garth Crooks as the BBC's Team of the Week picker. Will he deliberately avoid picking Villa players or over-compensate and go the other way, I wonder.
BBC Troy Deeney's first Premier League team of the week includes Onana
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/
Onana (Aston Villa): He got a goal on his Aston Villa debut but Onana was all over West Ham's Lucas Paqueta throughout too. The Belgium midfielder broke up the play and did all the horrible things you wouldn't really see, unless you have a bit of a trained eye.
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Game set and match that comment.
You cannot be serious!?
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Premier League Pundits Ian Wright and Tim Sherwood on West Ham 1- 2 Aston Villa
You've linked an Arabic speaking YouTube account.
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Oops, glitch in the algorithm.
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The "hot take" (read lazy) from neutrals is that the Champs League will drain us. Ok, the games are going to be harder than the Conference last season, but we'll on average have more recovery time (no Thursday games so it'll be Tues/Weds to Sat/Sun) and our squad is stronger now.
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Yeah, Lowe answered something like 4 of her 6 questions with something Villa-related, good for her.
Ledge.
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Yeah, Lowe answered something like 4 of her 6 questions with something Villa-related, good for her.
Ledge.
Lovely voice too. :P
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Sky Sport MNF season Predictions by Carragher and Neville
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Just listened to 606 from Saturday....
3 non Scouse Liverpool fans, 2 Spurs fans even tho they didn't even play and not a single Villa fan.
When we win something it's going to taste so fucking good.
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Just listened to 606 from Saturday....
3 non Scouse Liverpool fans, 2 Spurs fans even tho they didn't even play and not a single Villa fan.
When we win something it's going to taste so fucking good.
It should not rile me but it really fucking does - especially Talk Shite.
The build up to Fridays opener it was like the resurrection of Fergiscums team from the 90's, not a team managed by a supply teacher that finished 8th last year. They should rename the station to United FM.
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Gary Nev is clueless isn't he
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Talk Sport Team of The Week
By Gabby Agbonlahor
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Just listened to 606 from Saturday....
3 non Scouse Liverpool fans, 2 Spurs fans even tho they didn't even play and not a single Villa fan.
When we win something it's going to taste so fucking good.
It should not rile me but it really fucking does - especially Talk Shite.
The build up to Fridays opener it was like the resurrection of Fergiscums team from the 90's, not a team managed by a supply teacher that finished 8th last year. They should rename the station to United FM.
This is quite the debate by Talksport Arteta or Emery ?
The panel know who is the best !
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Just listened to 606 from Saturday....
3 non Scouse Liverpool fans, 2 Spurs fans even tho they didn't even play and not a single Villa fan.
When we win something it's going to taste so fucking good.
It should not rile me but it really fucking does - especially Talk Shite.
The build up to Fridays opener it was like the resurrection of Fergiscums team from the 90's, not a team managed by a supply teacher that finished 8th last year. They should rename the station to United FM.
The later on in the day the more sycophantic they get to ManU. Who is that Gobshite who hosts when Darren Bent is on London Red. Absolute bellend. Maybe Stomzy and Angus Deayton to co-host next week. With Zoe Ball as guest analayst
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Genuine question, why do people listen to it? It’s obviously geared towards what you’re saying - I imagine it’s a two fold approach, capture the majority of listeners who will be fans of “big teams” and cater to them, whilst simultaneously making anyone else basically hate listen.
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Genuine question, why do people listen to it? It’s obviously geared towards what you’re saying - I imagine it’s a two fold approach, capture the majority of listeners who will be fans of “big teams” and cater to them, whilst simultaneously making anyone else basically hate listen.
Because they want to hear their team getting 'the credit they deserve'. And when they hear their team getting 'the credit they deserve' it's not enough. They want more credit for their team. They want to hear the presenters - who they think are wankers - saying the words, 'I give credit to this team nobody cares about', but even when they do it's still not enough. The listeners are credit junkies and nobody is ever happy.
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Genuine question, why do people listen to it? It’s obviously geared towards what you’re saying - I imagine it’s a two fold approach, capture the majority of listeners who will be fans of “big teams” and cater to them, whilst simultaneously making anyone else basically hate listen.
Because they want to hear their team getting 'the credit they deserve'. And when they hear their team getting 'the credit they deserve' it's not enough. They want more credit for their team. They want to hear the presenters - who they think are wankers - saying the words, 'I give credit to this team nobody cares about', but even when they do it's still not enough. The listeners are credit junkies and nobody is ever happy.
The model is built on your unhappiness. Every time you get annoyed, they win.
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I only listen to H+J on TS and that's only when Andy Jakobs is on, I don't find Charlie Baker particularly funny.
As for 606, haven't listened for years, I don't read columns by ex-pro's, listen to the analysis on MOTD (unless it's after our game), never hear or watch the build up to any game including ours. I prefer the opinions of those outside the game, journalists mainly and will critique them if needs be.
I only watched our goals again on MOTD2 then deleted. The amount of fuckwittery, imbecilic like behaviour, lack of knowledge, or basic skills of presenting where football is concerned is enormous but easily avoided.
But kudos to the producer of Soccer Saturday at the weekend, in the short period I watched he obviously hadn't mastered to skill of switching peoples mic's off if they weren't speaking so updates on Raith Rovers and Walsall were punctuated by coughs, sniffles, throat clearing and hocking up of a gold watch. Top work.
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I only watched our goals again on MOTD2 then deleted. The amount of fuckwittery, imbecilic like behaviour, lack of knowledge, or basic skills of presenting where football is concerned is enormous but easily avoided.
Alex Scott was only on for the opening weekend. Mark Chapman returns this week (presumably after a post-Olympics holiday).
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I only watched our goals again on MOTD2 then deleted. The amount of fuckwittery, imbecilic like behaviour, lack of knowledge, or basic skills of presenting where football is concerned is enormous but easily avoided.
Alex Scott was only on for the opening weekend. Mark Chapman returns this week (presumably after a post-Olympics holiday).
She is a clunky and awkward presenter who when called on to add lib really struggles but she's ok as a pundit. I don't agree with the criticism of her accent but the distinction needs to be made between that and delivery, something I have personal experience from in the media.
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Stormzy and Angus Deayton on their own show would be dynamite.
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(https://i.ibb.co/nrwdn0q/Skypr.jpg) (https://ibb.co/nrwdn0q)
Gary Nev is clueless isn't he
Doesn’t even have us in top 7
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and thinks that chelsea will be top 4. clown
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and thinks that chelsea will be top 4. clown
Well on BBC 5 Live Monday Night Club ex player Izzy Christiansen predicted Villa 3rd which raised a few eyebrows.
She mentioned how Villa have lots of ideas on how to play and can adapt in game and only Man City and Arsenal are other teams that can do that well.
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Honestly the pundits' top 8 predictions are all over the place, which is the only honest position. Wilson on the Graun had us 8th, but we 'could also easily be 4th', and I think any greater certainty than that would be a bit previous.
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https://x.com/offtheball/status/1825881721490854327?t=plzKWhJ9Qq0SoKFS5fosGw&s=08
Spot on comments here, calling out the dismissive attitude of pundits towards Villa.
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I normally laugh at how paranoid our fan base gets about the press, but saw a Sky clip earlier where they were talking about how last years top 3 got on this weekend. You honestly couldn't make it up.
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I normally laugh at how paranoid our fan base gets about the press, but saw a Sky clip earlier where they were talking about how last years top 3 got on this weekend. You honestly couldn't make it up.
3rd place Liverpool finished 9 points behind 1st and 14 ahead of us in 4th. We finished 2 points ahead of fifth. Their goal difference was -17 on the top two - ours was -30 on them.
It's okay to talk about a top 3 from the 23-24 season.
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I normally laugh at how paranoid our fan base gets about the press, but saw a Sky clip earlier where they were talking about how last years top 3 got on this weekend. You honestly couldn't make it up.
3rd place Liverpool finished 9 points behind 1st and 14 ahead of us in 4th. We finished 2 points ahead of fifth. Their goal difference was -17 on the top two - ours was -30 on them.
It's okay to talk about a top 3 from the 23-24 season.
I get that, but do you think they’d be talking about the “top 3” if we finished 3rd and Liverpool were 4th? I’m not saying they definitely wouldn’t but it seems unlikely.
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I normally laugh at how paranoid our fan base gets about the press, but saw a Sky clip earlier where they were talking about how last years top 3 got on this weekend. You honestly couldn't make it up.
3rd place Liverpool finished 9 points behind 1st and 14 ahead of us in 4th. We finished 2 points ahead of fifth. Their goal difference was -17 on the top two - ours was -30 on them.
It's okay to talk about a top 3 from the 23-24 season.
I get that, but do you think they’d be talking about the “top 3” if we finished 3rd and Liverpool were 4th? I’m not saying they definitely wouldn’t but it seems unlikely.
Maybe not, maybe yes. I'd guess not, but it's wholly hypothetical.
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I normally laugh at how paranoid our fan base gets about the press, but saw a Sky clip earlier where they were talking about how last years top 3 got on this weekend. You honestly couldn't make it up.
3rd place Liverpool finished 9 points behind 1st and 14 ahead of us in 4th. We finished 2 points ahead of fifth. Their goal difference was -17 on the top two - ours was -30 on them.
It's okay to talk about a top 3 from the 23-24 season.
Yep, fine, but how exactly are Spurs and Chelsea getting all the attention across practically all platforms but Villa, who are actually IN the fucking Champions League, are not?
Additionally, since when did finishing top 4 become irrelevant? Since when did finishing 4th become a reason why a club are automatically disqualified from even a conversation about repeating said feat?
If any other club had finished 4th, the discussion would be about how much further they can go. In our case, it seems our success is a reason why we can't be considered as challengers
It's disrespectful, disingenuous and smacks of a narrative that paranoia, which I agree we all have occasionally, cannot explain.
We are pissing on the chips of the hierarchy and they know it.
Long may it continue. And you never know, if we win the Champions League, we might get a mention in the Express and Star. Maybe.
Rant over. For now. Grrrrr.
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They cover the Biggo Clubs more because for many years they've been in a virtuous circle where they get coverage that makes them famous that gets them coverage that makes them famous etc etc.
When we are covered, it strikes me that the pundits are almost tripping over themselves to be nice about us.
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https://x.com/offtheball/status/1825881721490854327?t=plzKWhJ9Qq0SoKFS5fosGw&s=08
Spot on comments here, calling out the dismissive attitude of pundits towards Villa.
Cheers for posting that. Spot on, as you say.
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This has been explained before by a country lad with a big heart.
For my own peace of mind, I really, really wish that all the broadcasters would release a joint statement saying something like this: "it's not bias towards the 'big six'. It's naked capitalism. Many more people give a shit about those six clubs. We couldn't give a shit. If your shit club suddenly found loads of new supporters, we'd pander to your petty fucking grievances too (not that you'll be satisfied by that, because that's literally not possible). We don't care about any club. We care about money. Live with it, because it isn't changing until you fucking do."
https://www.si.com/fannation/soccer/futbol/features/premier-league-clubs-ranked-by-social-media-followers
Edit: and while I'm at it, I'd want them to add: "we have no obligation to be impartial. We're not BBC News. We've paid a lot of money to show these games and we'd like to see a fucking return on that investment if that's OK with you? And if you're a fucking Southampton fan, that's your fucking problem, you sad twat. Here's a fucking Spurs match."
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Yep, fine, but how exactly are Spurs and Chelsea getting all the attention across practically all platforms but Villa, who are actually IN the fucking Champions League, are not?
Chelsea are getting lots of attention, but it strikes me that it's far more "look at that mad bunch of bastards over there being all mad" attention rather than positive vibes.
And I've not really seen Spurs get much more attention that us in the build up to the season, apart from in the last couple of days. Which I take as due to them having a match on Monday night and us not.
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Yep, fine, but how exactly are Spurs and Chelsea getting all the attention across practically all platforms but Villa, who are actually IN the fucking Champions League, are not?
Chelsea are getting lots of attention, but it strikes me that it's far more "look at that mad bunch of bastards over there being all mad" attention rather than positive attention.
And I've not really seen Spurs get much more attention that us in the build up to the season, apart from in the last couple of days. Which I take due to them having a match on Monday night and us not.
606 on Saturday had 2 Spurs callers and no Villa callers.
Do you think that would have happened the other way around if we had been playing on Monday and they had just won away from home literally minutes before the show aired?
Do you think no Villa fans called in?
It's clear media bias and it's not a big step to think that potential sponsors look at media coverage when deciding which clubs to spend their money on.
A self-fulfilling prophecy that keeps us in the financial shadows, at a time when we really need and deserve every penny we can get.
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This has been explained before by a country lad with a big heart.
For my own peace of mind, I really, really wish that all the broadcasters would release a joint statement saying something like this: "it's not bias towards the 'big six'. It's naked capitalism. Many more people give a shit about those six clubs. We couldn't give a shit. If your shit club suddenly found loads of new supporters, we'd pander to your petty fucking grievances too (not that you'll be satisfied by that, because that's literally not possible). We don't care about any club. We care about money. Live with it, because it isn't changing until you fucking do."
https://www.si.com/fannation/soccer/futbol/features/premier-league-clubs-ranked-by-social-media-followers
Edit: and while I'm at it, I'd want them to add: "we have no obligation to be impartial. We're not BBC News. We've paid a lot of money to show these games and we'd like to see a fucking return on that investment if that's OK with you? And if you're a fucking Southampton fan, that's your fucking problem, you sad twat. Here's a fucking Spurs match."
Something tells me some people still won't 'get it'.
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Yes! And whilst they are at it, the likes of 606, (which actually IS on the BBC and was the very show I referenced,) could give the fans of the remaining 86 league clubs, plus countless other irrelevant plebs, a rebate on their TV license and get the Spurs fans to make up the balance along with the other 5 important clubs.
Or, we could hope that our national media coverage makes at least some effort to spare us paupers a few crumbs.
It's not as if we haven't earned it.
(The revolution will not be televised)
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Dan Bardell on Talksport
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Kate Tracey Sky Sports she is the new Villa Tv Presenter. Please no bawdy comments.
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Kate Tracey Sky Sports she is the new Villa Tv Presenter. Please no bawdy comments.
weyhey!!!
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It’s worth remembering that Villa finished top of the “Top 4 head to head league”.
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Kate Tracey Sky Sports she is the new Villa Tv Presenter. Please no bawdy comments.
I think she'll be a big hit with the Villa fans as she likes to wear...
Claret
https://x.com/KateTracey12/status/1821635399363805639
& Blue
https://x.com/KateTracey12/status/1820924310069948695
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I bet she has a nice accent. ;)
Just kidding!
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I bet she has a nice accent. ;)
Just kidding!
https://www.avfc.co.uk/video/08c940b0-138a-404a-b6e3-082bdfe7a535
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I bet she has a nice accent. ;)
Just kidding!
https://www.avfc.co.uk/video/08c940b0-138a-404a-b6e3-082bdfe7a535
The guy just oozes class. Love him.
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I normally laugh at how paranoid our fan base gets about the press, but saw a Sky clip earlier where they were talking about how last years top 3 got on this weekend. You honestly couldn't make it up.
3rd place Liverpool finished 9 points behind 1st and 14 ahead of us in 4th. We finished 2 points ahead of fifth. Their goal difference was -17 on the top two - ours was -30 on them.
It's okay to talk about a top 3 from the 23-24 season.
I get that, but do you think they’d be talking about the “top 3” if we finished 3rd and Liverpool were 4th? I’m not saying they definitely wouldn’t but it seems unlikely.
Maybe not, maybe yes. I'd guess not, but it's wholly hypothetical.
Do you think they'd be talking about a top 3 after Gameweek 1 if Man U Chelsea or Spurs finished 4th instead of us on exactly the same goals and points as we did? Of course they wouldn't. I'm pretty relaxed about this sort of stuff, but it's a laughable suggestion.
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Kate Tracey Sky Sports she is the new Villa Tv Presenter. Please no bawdy comments.
Not even a “Dick” pun?
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I normally laugh at how paranoid our fan base gets about the press, but saw a Sky clip earlier where they were talking about how last years top 3 got on this weekend. You honestly couldn't make it up.
3rd place Liverpool finished 9 points behind 1st and 14 ahead of us in 4th. We finished 2 points ahead of fifth. Their goal difference was -17 on the top two - ours was -30 on them.
It's okay to talk about a top 3 from the 23-24 season.
I get that, but do you think they’d be talking about the “top 3” if we finished 3rd and Liverpool were 4th? I’m not saying they definitely wouldn’t but it seems unlikely.
Maybe not, maybe yes. I'd guess not, but it's wholly hypothetical.
Do you think they'd be talking about a top 3 after Gameweek 1 if Man U Chelsea or Spurs finished 4th instead of us on exactly the same goals and points as we did? Of course they wouldn't. I'm pretty relaxed about this sort of stuff, but it's a laughable suggestion.
When Leicester won the Prem league there was quite a bit of focus more on Spurs losing the league. Spurs finished third that season! Even some seasons after in media talk pundits say Spurs should have won the league that season. I’ve never heard that about a team over a league season only ever in a match. There was a media bias from bits I recall to say Spurs should have won it.
It’s also the painful relegation season so all that stuff was not much interest to me yet it was noted.
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Kate Tracey Sky Sports she is the new Villa Tv Presenter. Please no bawdy comments.
Not even a “Dick” pun?
Oh heavens !
Maybe if I had requested no bawdy comments then this would never have happened!
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This is fascinating to see such reactions to the West Ham v Villa match!
Great fun!
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Does anybody watch these commentators in real time, while the match is on?
I loved the reactions to Duran’s goal and the little dance from the WHam guy after the penalty. I think they’d all be a bit difficult to cope with, over 90 minutes.
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I used to quite like it when Sky had it as a red button option during games. Think I only bothered when it was a match I wasn't too arsed about, though, ie not Villa.
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I used to quite like it when Sky had it as a red button option during games. Think I only bothered when it was a match I wasn't too arsed about, though, ie not Villa.
I’ve seen bits of this on Twitter/X before now, but I don’t think I’ve enjoyed them as much as I have appreciated this selection. Thanks, Footy.
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I used to quite like it when Sky had it as a red button option during games. Think I only bothered when it was a match I wasn't too arsed about, though, ie not Villa.
I’ve seen bits of this on Twitter/X before now, but I don’t think I’ve enjoyed them as much as I have appreciated this selection. Thanks, Footy.
Thanks!
Well it’s good fun isn’t it with this snap shots of reactions as it were. Hope to include here in each round of games! And it’s always better when we win! Enjoy the season!
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Does anybody watch these commentators in real time, while the match is on?
I loved the reactions to Duran’s goal and the little dance from the WHam guy after the penalty. I think they’d all be a bit difficult to cope with, over 90 minutes.
That Yanited fan I have seen before and I can not fathom wanting to watch him for 100 minutes, he is one weird dude. I can cope with a minute or so of seeing a numpty getting angry but a whole game? No chance.
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Does anybody watch these commentators in real time, while the match is on?
I loved the reactions to Duran’s goal and the little dance from the WHam guy after the penalty. I think they’d all be a bit difficult to cope with, over 90 minutes.
That Yanited fan I have seen before and I can not fathom wanting to watch him for 100 minutes, he is one weird dude. I can cope with a minute or so of seeing a numpty getting angry but a whole game? No chance.
Watching any Yanited fan for more than 3 mins ever would be too much. Over the last 70 years
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Rather than start a new thread on Amazon Prime Coverage it's best here.
Amazon Prime Champions League Pundit team
Host
Gabby Logan
Commentator
Jon Champion
Pitch-side
Gabriel Clarke
Alex Aljoe
Pundits
Frank Lampard
Daniel Sturridge
Clarence Seedorf
Laura Georges
Josie Henning
Alan Shearer
Gael Clichy
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I used to quite like it when Sky had it as a red button option during games. Think I only bothered when it was a match I wasn't too arsed about, though, ie not Villa.
How much did it pay and what happened if you swore? This is Davina and you're live on Channel 4. For the love of God, don't curse.
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I think I did it for the Villa Blues 5-1 when the largish Villa lad whipped off his top and shouted "look at me tan".
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Yeah, he was quality, especially the one he did with the Everton fella with the squashed-face when we threw it away at Goodison before winning it again. "Oi've just doigested me poi!"
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Jermaine Jenas, who presents The One Show and appears on Match of the Day for the BBC, has been sacked by the corporation following complaints about workplace conduct.
The former footballer, 41, has been taken off air from both primetime shows.
A BBC spokesperson said: "We can confirm Jermaine Jenas is no longer part of our presenting line-up
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It’s actually not right he’s on air on talk sport as he has been inappropriate by BBC it’s very odd going by any broadcaster the to allow him to present as he’s live on Talk Sport
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There is always a little pathetic part of me that is a little gleeful when someone you find a bit off is proven to be so. I wonder what he's done. Now can we check Alan Titchmarsh's basement please?
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It’s actually not right he’s on air on talk sport as he has been inappropriate by BBC it’s very odd going by any broadcaster the to allow him to present as he’s live on Talk Sport
The news literally broke 5 mins before they started on Talk Sport, so I would imagine they will deal with it after the show. Considering some of the things that some presenters have done down the years I doubt talk sport are massively concerned, expecially if it means more people are listening to rubber neck.
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Strange.
Ive met jenas a few times seemed like a lovely fella
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Must be pretty serious for the BBC to instigate instant dismissal. Must constitute Gross Misconduct you'd think ?
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Must be pretty serious for the BBC to instigate instant dismissal. Must constitute Gross Misconduct you'd think ?
I'd be amazed if he were a BBC employee. He'll be a presenter for hire, gig-by-gig.
So he won't have been dismissed, they'll just have decided to stop calling his agent if they need a pundit or someone to sit in a cardigan and talk to Gyles Brandreth.
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According to the BBC news report, he's contracted for his MOTD/football-related work with the Beeb, in the salary band £190k - £195k.
His work for The One Show is through BBC's commercial production arm and the salary is not in the public domain.
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Must be pretty serious for the BBC to instigate instant dismissal. Must constitute Gross Misconduct you'd think ?
Apparently he referred to a new 'Top 4' on air and said Villa were title contenders this season.
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Coin coin coin coin coin
https://www.tiktok.com/@snowydangernew/video/7200861454126419206
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Strange.
Ive met jenas a few times seemed like a lovely fella
Ted Bundy, charismatic bloke, didn't see it coming.
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Coin coin coin coin coin
https://www.tiktok.com/@snowydangernew/video/7200861454126419206
He's taking it completely sanely, then.
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Isn't he just doing an impersonation of someone in that video?
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Isn't he just doing an impersonation of someone in that video?
Ah, I mustn't be online enough, still strange.
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Isn't he just doing an impersonation of someone in that video?
No idea.
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The S**
Jenas was sacked after allegations were made by a female member of staff on The One Show.
She had claimed she received unsolicited communications over text.
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Strange.
Ive met jenas a few times seemed like a lovely fella
Ted Bundy, charismatic bloke, didn't see it coming.
You get them sometimes. I do wonder what in earth he has done
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Strange.
Ive met jenas a few times seemed like a lovely fella
Ted Bundy, charismatic bloke, didn't see it coming.
You get them sometimes. I do wonder what in earth he has done
Hopefully many of the other shite pundits can do the same
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Strange.
Ive met jenas a few times seemed like a lovely fella
Ted Bundy, charismatic bloke, didn't see it coming.
You get them sometimes. I do wonder what in earth he has done
Hopefully many of the other shite pundits can do the same
Starting with murphy, aluko and morrison
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Strange.
Ive met jenas a few times seemed like a lovely fella
Ted Bundy, charismatic bloke, didn't see it coming.
You get them sometimes. I do wonder what in earth he has done
Hopefully many of the other shite pundits can do the same
Starting with murphy, aluko and morrison
add Scott to the list
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The one that should be top of the list and sought after by all tv/radio is Lucy Ward. She’s excellent - brilliant, in-depth knowledge, and properly interesting insight.
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The one that should be top of the list and sought after by all tv/radio is Lucy Ward. She’s excellent - brilliant, in-depth knowledge, and properly interesting insight.
Definitely.
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Both Paul Merson and Chris Sutton predict 2-1 loss to Arsenal.
They and actually all pundits who predicted results last week were all wrong as many said draw with West Ham
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Strange pre match preview in Metro this morning. Going on about how Watkins would be perfect for Arsenal's title push. Then predicting us to win 2-1.
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Jamie Carragher with some comment and opinion on Villa and Emery leading up to Saturdays match . He doesn't particularly seemed well informed on how settle Emery is here and how ambitious we are. One of the surprises of the summer he says regards other clubs not moving to take Emery as their coach.
"Because of Emery, Villa have become a notable scalp. The Spaniard’s unhappy spell at Arsenal should be a distant memory. Fortunately for Villa, it would appear it isn’t for rival Premier League and European clubs.
One of the surprises of the summer is how few of the elite teams seeking a new coach made a pitch for Emery. He would have been capable of taking over at Liverpool, Barcelona, Bayern Munich or Chelsea, while Manchester United must have considered his qualities during that period when they were contemplating whether to keep faith with Erik ten Hag.
Based on his experience and CV, Emery is second only to Guardiola as the most accomplished and successful coach currently working in the Premier League.
Last season, I upset some Villa fans by suggesting Emery’s impressive work would guarantee he would be back in the Champions League sooner rather than later. I was half right, given he has managed to achieve that with Villa rather than leaving for another club.
By signing a new contract, he sent a message that he is working in an environment where he and sporting director Monchi believe they can build a side to match their vision. But it still surprised me that there was not a stronger push for his services from those head-hunting because it will be hard for Villa to replicate what they did last year given the extra demands of Champions League football. Their squad does not have the necessary depth."
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What a twat.
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It’s his column in the Telegraph. Seems to have not wanted to move away from the theory that Emery would move to one of these bigger clubs
I think he would love Liverpool to have taken him and is actually worried about the impact Villa are having with Emery at the helm but falls short in making Villa the focus.
By his reckoning then he needs to have said how poor a squad Villa were with the previous manager his best mate Stevie G
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Strange pre match preview in Metro this morning. Going on about how Watkins would be perfect for Arsenal's title push. Then predicting us to win 2-1.
Both true.
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Guardian article on Arteta wanting revenge over Villa. Says first time we've done the double over them since 92/93. Fact check, please. Didn't we do that not long back? 3-0 away season. I'm sure we beat them three games on the bounce, so there's a double in there somewhere.
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Yeah, we did the double over them in 2020/21. Generally, "revenge" is overused in football. Should only be used when you've been wronged in some way. A football team winning football matches is what they're supposed to do. I want to beat Newcastle this year, but it won't be "revenge" if we do.
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I used to think some Villa fans were a bit paranoid about Villa not being given any respect in the media, but I listened to a few of the big podcasts after Villa's wins over West Ham and Leicester and we barely got a mention at all.
The Totally Football Show (The Athletic's offering) only mentioned the scorer and the Villa scorers for the Leicester game, and The Guardian's Football Weekly gave us a couple of minutes; whereas every other game featuring a Sky 6 team got in-depth coverage.
No doubt it was different for the Arsenal game, but that's because we were playing a Sky 6 club.
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It doesn't fit their narrative and they don't want us gatecrashing the Sky6 club
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I always think it's laughable that Spurs are considered part of the "Big 6", when their claim to that status is basically "they're in London".
A team that has only ever one their domestic league TWICE (the last time was before The Beatles released a single). Even in the Premier League era, they've literally won the same number and type of trophies as us (2 League Cups).
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It doesn't fit their narrative and they don't want us gatecrashing the Sky6 club
This really should be hammered into some people's brains with a six inch nail:
For my own peace of mind, I really, really wish that all the broadcasters would release a joint statement saying something like this: "it's not bias towards the 'big six'. It's naked capitalism. Many more people give a shit about those six clubs. We couldn't give a shit. If your shit club suddenly found loads of new supporters, we'd pander to your petty fucking grievances too (not that you'll be satisfied by that, because that's literally not possible). We don't care about any club. We care about money. Live with it, because it isn't changing until you fucking do."
https://www.si.com/fannation/soccer/futbol/features/premier-league-clubs-ranked-by-social-media-followers
Edit: and while I'm at it, I'd want them to add: "we have no obligation to be impartial. We're not BBC News. We've paid a lot of money to show these games and we'd like to see a fucking return on that investment if that's OK with you? And if you're a fucking Southampton fan, that's your fucking problem, you sad twat. Here's a fucking Spurs match."
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It doesn't fit their narrative and they don't want us gatecrashing the Sky6 club
This really should be hammered into some people's brains with a six inch nail:
For my own peace of mind, I really, really wish that all the broadcasters would release a joint statement saying something like this: "it's not bias towards the 'big six'. It's naked capitalism. Many more people give a shit about those six clubs. We couldn't give a shit. If your shit club suddenly found loads of new supporters, we'd pander to your petty fucking grievances too (not that you'll be satisfied by that, because that's literally not possible). We don't care about any club. We care about money. Live with it, because it isn't changing until you fucking do."
https://www.si.com/fannation/soccer/futbol/features/premier-league-clubs-ranked-by-social-media-followers
Edit: and while I'm at it, I'd want them to add: "we have no obligation to be impartial. We're not BBC News. We've paid a lot of money to show these games and we'd like to see a fucking return on that investment if that's OK with you? And if you're a fucking Southampton fan, that's your fucking problem, you sad twat. Here's a fucking Spurs match."
Very good.
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It doesn't fit their narrative and they don't want us gatecrashing the Sky6 club
This really should be hammered into some people's brains with a six inch nail:
For my own peace of mind, I really, really wish that all the broadcasters would release a joint statement saying something like this: "it's not bias towards the 'big six'. It's naked capitalism. Many more people give a shit about those six clubs. We couldn't give a shit. If your shit club suddenly found loads of new supporters, we'd pander to your petty fucking grievances too (not that you'll be satisfied by that, because that's literally not possible). We don't care about any club. We care about money. Live with it, because it isn't changing until you fucking do."
https://www.si.com/fannation/soccer/futbol/features/premier-league-clubs-ranked-by-social-media-followers
Edit: and while I'm at it, I'd want them to add: "we have no obligation to be impartial. We're not BBC News. We've paid a lot of money to show these games and we'd like to see a fucking return on that investment if that's OK with you? And if you're a fucking Southampton fan, that's your fucking problem, you sad twat. Here's a fucking Spurs match."
Very good.
It's very, very good.
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They'd love us to break the Big 6, they'd love us to be huge, with a massive following, that more people cared about.
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An away win at Leicester. Even I barely cared.
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It doesn't fit their narrative and they don't want us gatecrashing the Sky6 club
This really should be hammered into some people's brains with a six inch nail:
For my own peace of mind, I really, really wish that all the broadcasters would release a joint statement saying something like this: "it's not bias towards the 'big six'. It's naked capitalism. Many more people give a shit about those six clubs. We couldn't give a shit. If your shit club suddenly found loads of new supporters, we'd pander to your petty fucking grievances too (not that you'll be satisfied by that, because that's literally not possible). We don't care about any club. We care about money. Live with it, because it isn't changing until you fucking do."
https://www.si.com/fannation/soccer/futbol/features/premier-league-clubs-ranked-by-social-media-followers
Edit: and while I'm at it, I'd want them to add: "we have no obligation to be impartial. We're not BBC News. We've paid a lot of money to show these games and we'd like to see a fucking return on that investment if that's OK with you? And if you're a fucking Southampton fan, that's your fucking problem, you sad twat. Here's a fucking Spurs match."
Very good.
It's very, very good.
Cruel too though for such an emotional guy.
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You cannot help but thinking along those lines.
The disproportionate level of coverage for a really bang average Redfilth is obviously to sell column inches rather than being justified as to what they are doing as a team.
I am sure that if they talk about them enough people will actually think they might still be relevant.
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I am sure that if they talk about them enough people will actually think they might still be relevant.
I would guess that you are personally responsible for about 60% of the times that they are brought up on this site.
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Make that 61%
They are cnuts - every single one of them
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Make that 61%
They are cnuts - every single one of them
Actually I know a few who are decent people, support the team because they came from there (or their family did) and are regular people, just like every club has good and bad.
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Irrespective of where they are from I have never had a football discussion with anyone of them that could be called honest and fair. And I worked in Manchester for years...not one.
The template is twats like Goldstien.
Football is cyclical with most of them stuck in the past and they just cannot handle that they are bang average now.
If you have met a few that you think are decent then that is the exception not the rule
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I used to think some Villa fans were a bit paranoid about Villa not being given any respect in the media, but I listened to a few of the big podcasts after Villa's wins over West Ham and Leicester and we barely got a mention at all.
The Totally Football Show (The Athletic's offering) only mentioned the scorer and the Villa scorers for the Leicester game, and The Guardian's Football Weekly gave us a couple of minutes; whereas every other game featuring a Sky 6 team got in-depth coverage.
No doubt it was different for the Arsenal game, but that's because we were playing a Sky 6 club.
In attempt to dismiss the paranoia; I had a listen to a few more popular football podcasts - The Rest Is Football (Lineker, Shearer and Richards) - no mention; The Football Ramble - no mention; and The BBC's Monday Night Club - no mention.
I did ffwd through a lot of Man U/Liverpool/Arsenal chat which was the bulk of them; so it's possible I missed a brief mention, but I don't think I did.
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The one that should be top of the list and sought after by all tv/radio is Lucy Ward. She’s excellent - brilliant, in-depth knowledge, and properly interesting insight.
Stephen Warnock is the best football analyst pundit on TV for me
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I’m not sure it’s really a conspiracy. The podcasts/shows are ultimately trying to engage their audience, and at the moment the majority of those listeners will probably be interested in the historical “big 6” - be they specific fans of those clubs or casual listeners. From this weekends games -
Manure vs Liverpool - always going to get focus as it’s a big rivalry, plus Manure being clobbered would be of interest to fans generally.
Arsenal vs Brighton - Arsenal dropped points and there was a contentious sending off, people would want to hear about that.
West Ham vs Citeh - Haaland’s ridiculous start to the season is a talking point.
Newcastle vs Spurs - interesting narrative of Spurs continuing to lose games they shouldn’t.
Chelsea vs Palace - there’s probably a general level of interest in the circus at Chelsea and when they drop points I know I enjoy hearing it discussed.
Villa’s coverage was light, and it’s annoying, but from the outside I imagine our result was pretty expected and there weren’t really any major talking points. The quality of our goals was touched on in the Guardian podcast, but I can see why it wasn’t a huge focus if you
don’t support Villa. On the Football Ramble there’s been several mentions of Rogers emergence of late.
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And you missed Everton - Brighton which the couple I listened to both led with.
Rest assured, had we chucked away a two goal lead and lost 3-2 in the last ten minutes we'd have featured heavily. We just weren't a story.
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Yep sorry of course Everton vs Bournemouth was always going to get plenty of attention due to the circumstances.
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Along with limited content what I find most annoying is just the general lack of knowledge about us. The vast majority of them all know the bare minimum. But ask them to talk Chelsea, or obviously Man U after a defeat to Liverpool they will dedicate entire shows to it. I actually found myself feeling a tiny bit bad for Slot and Liverpool. They came, battered their opponent and left, and nobody really talked about how this bloke from the Dutch league without spending much has his side, one of the highest profile jobs, taking over from a massive character like Klopp, playing as well if not better football than the final months of his predecessor.
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I'm sure Slot and Liverpool will cope.
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Us not being a story a week Saturday will suit us just fine. A routine 2.0 win will suffice. Everton managing a draw or a win would be a story, after their start.
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Does the media have an "agenda" with us?
Given the general lack of interest and coverage you'd be inclined to think so.
The London/NW centric journos seem to me to be very lazy and rarely give any coverage to clubs outside the Greedy6.
They "fell in love" with Toon quickly enough when their Mancrush fave Eddie Howe took over and The Mags qualified for the Chumps League. But last season’s trials and tribulations added to PSR constraints saw the journos turn their backs on them soon enough when they came bottom in the Group stage and slipped back in the Prem. I can't remember a single in depth article trying to explain why Toon struggled.
And now it seems we've been cast in the same mould. A "nouveau" club, trying to gatecrash the established order who in their eyes will hit the same problems and (most likely) fail.
So I'm sure the journos won't waste any time and effort writing about us.
What if we did get to a Euro semi last season despite a limited squad with several key players missing for all/half of the season?
What if we've got a manager with winning European experience and the fourth best win rate in the Prem since he arrived (behind City Arsenal and Liverpool)?
What if we've had a pretty good transfer window and have started the season reasonably well, going toe to toe at home to one of our favourite teams and winning both games away from home.
All very well, but if they're not Arse/Spuds/ManUre/'The Mighty Reds YNWA'/CarClownFC or Citeh we can ignore them.
A footnote about out games in Europe will suffice, after all Chelsea, ManU and Spurs in the Europa and Conference League will be much easier to write about.
Absent a couple of articles in the Guardian on Rogers and Emi M, can't think of anything about us in recent weeks.
Strange how paranoia can link up with reality now and again.
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The London/NW centric journos seem to me to be very lazy and rarely give any coverage to clubs outside the Greedy6.
Fundamentally I agree with what SE said about catering to demand rather than any conspiracy but I think the first part of this can't be understated. Birmingham in general is massively under-represented in media and a large part of it is simply that the bases for our media are mostly in London and Manchester so they report stuff that they can do without much travelling which fuels the problem and we end up being the wasteland that exists between them.
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There is no amount of coverage that will ever be enough for some people. There's loads of Villa media out there, I consume a lot of it myself (you can watch or listen to a new Villa podcast every day if you want to). But people then want the general media to notice us and then get upset when generalist commentators don't know as much about Villa as we do.
It's insane. What do these people want to hear Gary Neville say? That we're the best club in the universe? He can't, because we're not. That Unai Emery has done a brilliant job? Well, he does say that. How do they expect that they'll feel when someone gives us 'credit'? Whatever it is, they'll never get it because they're mental when it comes to our media coverage.
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The London/NW centric journos seem to me to be very lazy and rarely give any coverage to clubs outside the Greedy6.
Fundamentally I agree with what SE said about catering to demand rather than any conspiracy but I think the first part of this can't be understated. Birmingham in general is massively under-represented in media and a large part of it is simply that the bases for our media are mostly in London and Manchester so they report stuff that they can do without much travelling which fuels the problem and we end up being the wasteland that exists between them.
We need to win something to move the dial, and then win something else. Most pundits think we will be sliding back down from whence we came at the moment.
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I’ve mentioned her before but Lucy Ward is basically what a pundit should be. Her breadth of knowledge, and the detail she has alongside it is incredible. She seems to be able to talk about most top flight clubs (and probably Championship) in depth, and she also brings interesting insight.
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The London/NW centric journos seem to me to be very lazy and rarely give any coverage to clubs outside the Greedy6.
Fundamentally I agree with what SE said about catering to demand rather than any conspiracy but I think the first part of this can't be understated. Birmingham in general is massively under-represented in media and a large part of it is simply that the bases for our media are mostly in London and Manchester so they report stuff that they can do without much travelling which fuels the problem and we end up being the wasteland that exists between them.
We need to win something to move the dial, and then win something else. Most pundits think we will be sliding back down from whence we came at the moment.
Trust me, when we win the Champions League people will moan that it didn't get the same coverage as Man Utd in 1999.
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I’ve mentioned her before but Lucy Ward is basically what a pundit should be. Her breadth of knowledge, and the detail she has alongside it is incredible. She seems to be able to talk about most top flight clubs (and probably Championship) in depth, and she also brings interesting insight.
Yes she's really good.
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Can we not find one man as good as her?
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There is no amount of coverage that will ever be enough for some people. There's loads of Villa media out there, I consume a lot of it myself (you can watch or listen to a new Villa podcast every day if you want to). But people then want the general media to notice us and then get upset when generalist commentators don't know as much about Villa as we do.
It's insane. What do these people want to hear Gary Neville say? That we're the best club in the universe? He can't, because we're not. That Unai Emery has done a brilliant job? Well, he does say that. How do they expect that they'll feel when someone gives us 'credit'? Whatever it is, they'll never get it because they're mental when it comes to our media coverage.
Back in the day, when football coverage like everything was more amateurish and have more space to cosy prejudices, it's probably true that there was a bit of anti-Brum bias out there. But people really think it's still true, as if the media really cares more about Brighton or Everton.
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The narrative will always be the same on national media. Take last night on TS. The 7 o’clock show presented by a Newton Heath fan had the following topics for discussion.
1. What do manure have to do to become great again? And what is wrong?
2. Can Liverpool win the league?
3. Something about something else. Oh yes an MMA with something called Dubois.
There was zero mention of anything else.
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Can we not find one man as good as her?
I'm sure we can. Whether we can find one as good as Lisa Fallon is another matter.
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The narrative will always be the same on national media. Take last night on TS. The 7 o’clock show presented by a Newton Heath fan had the following topics for discussion.
1. What do manure have to do to become great again? And what is wrong?
2. Can Liverpool win the league?
3. Something about something else. Oh yes an MMA with something called Dubois.
There was zero mention of anything else.
I have noticed with Talksport - the standard degenerates with the sunlight hours. Worst is the 'Man U' fan presenters don't sound Manucnian or Lancashire or Cheshire like.
Maybe they should have Stormzy.
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Can we not find one man as good as her?
Nope. She should be on MOTD not that clown Richards.
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Sky Sports on contracts:
"Villa have one eye on 2026 with Emi Buendia. Tyrone Mings, Diego Carlos and Lucas Digne will be high earners at the club and the return Unai Emery's side could get for any potential sale, if they want to cash in, will significantly decrease once they enter the final year of their deals"
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Simon Jordan Talk sport on Aston Villa Champions League ticket pricing
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Amazon are showing Champions league matches this season.
They have selected first 5 gameweeks and opted not once for Villa. They will show the games of Arsenal, Liverpool and Man City but ignoring our first 5 matches.
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Basterds
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Apparently Amazon have first pick of Tuesday matches.
'Prime will exclusively broadcast 17 top-pick matches per season every Tuesday night throughout the competition up to and including the Semi-Final stage'
TNT will be the broadcast for first 5 Villa games.
And BBC will show highlights on a Wednesday motd.
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Amazon are showing Champions league matches this season.
They have selected first 5 gameweeks and opted not once for Villa. They will show the games of Arsenal, Liverpool and Man City but ignoring our first 5 matches.
Happy with that to be honest . Below the radar is best for us
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Given the recent (and ongoing issues) it seems as if those in charge are determined to push us up the media coverage tables for all the wrong reasons!
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Given the recent (and ongoing issues) it seems as if those in charge are determined to push us up the media coverage tables for all the wrong reasons!
There’s no such thing as bad publicity apparently…..
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If Amazon have those games is it more likely we'll be on terrestrial telly, or do Amazon have all the rights?
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Have to say of all the football broadcasters Amazon is my favorite - the ability to turn off the Commentary and just listen to crowd noise is great (and saves me watching in silence which I invariably have to do watching on other platforms due to the inane, invariably anti-AVFC, ramblings of the Commentators.)
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If Amazon have those games is it more likely we'll be on terrestrial telly, or do Amazon have all the rights?
No Amazon have the first pick of Tuesday matches
The rest of the Champions League matches are on TNT sports
Apparently Amazon have first pick of Tuesday matches.
'Prime will exclusively broadcast 17 top-pick matches per season every Tuesday night throughout the competition up to and including the Semi-Final stage'
TNT will be the broadcast for first 5 Villa games.
And BBC will show highlights on a Wednesday motd.
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RTÉ and Virgin Media seem to have the rights split between them in Ireland. RTÉ only mention Wednesdays though. Some chance a couple of our games might get on in Ireland, depending on who they clash with. The Celtic game is pretty much guaranteed, I'd think.
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What the pundits are predicting on Aston Villa v Everton
4-0 Ian Wright
3-0 Paul Merson
3-1 Roy Keane
2-0 Neville, Carragher, Sutton, Lawrenson
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What the pundits are predicting on Aston Villa v Everton
4-0 Ian Wright
3-0 Paul Merson
3-1 Roy Keane
2-0 Neville, Carragher, Sutton, Lawrenson
Certain home defeat then :(
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Does anybody watch these commentators in real time, while the match is on?
I loved the reactions to Duran’s goal and the little dance from the WHam guy after the penalty. I think they’d all be a bit difficult to cope with, over 90 minutes.
This is the best !!!
Sit back and enjoy because every one gonna react to Duran V Everton!
Similar reactions myself !
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Deeney included Watkins in his Team of the Week selections for BBC Sport.
"He's had a poor start to the season in terms of chance conversion but not travelling with England probably helped him get a rest in after a long summer," the former Birmingham City man wrote. "Hopefully those two goals get him up and running. It's a big week with the Champions League so good for him to get off to a flyer."
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Troy Deeney is stealing a living. Honestly, how is such a mono-syllabic thicko getting paid for his opinions?
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Even if ignoring his very limited vocabulary, to not have any Forest players or Nuno as manager just shows he is as bad as Crooks used to be, if not more.
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Even if ignoring his very limited vocabulary, to not have any Forest players or Nuno as manager just shows he is as bad as Crooks used to be, if not more.
And for both of the Brighton players he mentions, it's only really to say that they'll be sold to bigger teams. 'Monster' definitely seems to be one of the twenty or so words he knows.
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'Monster' definitely seems to be one of the twenty or so words he knows.
One of the few things Flin5tone was right about.
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Troy Deeney is stealing a living. Honestly, how is such a mono-syllabic thicko getting paid for his opinions?
They can flex the budget and retain him now that JJ has been let go with his tail between his legs.
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'Monster' definitely seems to be one of the twenty or so words he knows.
One of the few things Flin5tone was right about.
What is their username these days? I can't keep up.
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TNT sports coverage was not the greatest for me.
From the outset they had a focus on Real Madrid and thought was Real Madrid TV! Same when game ended straight to Real!
They didn't seem totally clued up on Villa.
When we scored first Rio Ferdinand needed telling name of set piece coach who Austin McPhee was. As he was saying how good Arsenal are yet seemed oblivious to excellent set piece works with have done this season and last.
The way Rio was talking I think he barely seen Villa play.
McCoist seemed ignorant to his fellow scot too.
Several camera shots of our owner Nassef Sawiris during the game with no reference to him commentators fletcher and McCoist nothing.
Crouch bragging he and McCoist would have taken chance when Watkins running through on goal with the pitch causing havoc was very dismissive and disrespectful I thought.
I found it all very basic and nothing insightful whatsoever.
Annoying pundits.
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*edited Oops, wrong place.
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What the pundits are predicting on Aston Villa v Wolves
3-1 Carragher, Merson
2-0 Sutton, Lawrenson
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Gabby Agbonlahor on Champions League tour.
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V Wolves:
Ian Taylor predicts 2-0
Elmo predicts 3-0!!
Petrov predicts 5-1!!!
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What the pundits are predicting on Aston Villa v Wolves
3-1 Carragher, Merson
2-0 Sutton, Lawrenson
Spot on by Carragher and Merson.
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When discussing Citeh's last-gasp equaliser against Arsenal this evening on Sky Sports, Roy Keane mentioned that the top clubs have players who can change games off the bench like Villa yesterday.
Well, indeed. Preach it to the masses you moody fecker.
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Keane is box office. His dig at Micha Richards about him scoffing chocolates throughout the first half was hilarious.
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I've warmed to Keane over the years, and have almost forgiven him for Saipan.
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I've warmed to Keane over the years, and have almost forgiven him for Saipan.
Seeing those clips of him during the Euros with the Overlap have really made me warm to him. Him giving Neville a dressing down about not having time for people and what's the point in having all that money if you can't enjoy with it other. The talk about crying watching Inside Out 2. It's all just an act, I really quite like him now.
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I've warmed to Keane over the years, and have almost forgiven him for Saipan.
I was incandescent with rage at the time, but the Cork man had a point.
Pasta not pizza! Eschew full fat cheese-based nutrition during tournaments tha knows.
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I do think Keane respects us as a club.
His rant about us celebrating surviving a few years ago was near enough how I felt. Not that I wasn't pleased, of course, but that sense that we should be aiming higher.
He's predictable in that we know he's always going to be the miserable cunt in the room, but as a miserable cunt myself, I appreciate that.
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I do think Keane respects us as a club.
His rant about us celebrating surviving a few years ago was near enough how I felt. Not that I wasn't pleased, of course, but that sense that we should be aiming higher.
He's predictable in that we know he's always going to be the miserable cunt in the room, but as a miserable cunt myself, I appreciate that.
But you see, I don't think he really is the miserable ******, I think he's a lot warmer than people think. I enjoyed seeing the glimmers of that side away from the game. I can come across as a miserable c*** but I reckon he's a daft softy, really, a bit like me 🙂. I definitely become a bit of a c*** when it comes to competition and I reckon he's like that, but at an elite level, and not just a fat prick trying to destroy his brother's at home playing darts. Or Uno.
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I do think Keane respects us as a club.
His rant about us celebrating surviving a few years ago was near enough how I felt. Not that I wasn't pleased, of course, but that sense that we should be aiming higher.
He's predictable in that we know he's always going to be the miserable cunt in the room, but as a miserable cunt myself, I appreciate that.
But you see, I don't think he really is the miserable ******, I think he's a lot warmer than people think. I enjoyed seeing the glimmers of that side away from the game. I can come across as a miserable c*** but I reckon he's a daft softy, really, a bit like me 🙂. I definitely become a bit of a c*** when it comes to competition and I reckon he's like that, but at an elite level, and not just a fat prick trying to destroy his brother's at home playing darts. Or Uno.
I think I agree, but wouldn't care to admit it.
I'm an Anglo-Corkman, so what can I say?
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I do think Keane respects us as a club.
His rant about us celebrating surviving a few years ago was near enough how I felt. Not that I wasn't pleased, of course, but that sense that we should be aiming higher.
He's predictable in that we know he's always going to be the miserable cunt in the room, but as a miserable cunt myself, I appreciate that.
But you see, I don't think he really is the miserable ******, I think he's a lot warmer than people think. I enjoyed seeing the glimmers of that side away from the game. I can come across as a miserable c*** but I reckon he's a daft softy, really, a bit like me 🙂. I definitely become a bit of a c*** when it comes to competition and I reckon he's like that, but at an elite level, and not just a fat prick trying to destroy his brother's at home playing darts. Or Uno.
I think I agree, but wouldn't care to admit it.
I'm an Anglo-Corkman, so what can I say?
'Feck'in' something? Is 'feck' overplayed in media portrayals of Irish people? Particularly comedies, anyway.
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I heard somewhere Keane always spent longer than anyone else signing autographs etc for anyone waiting when he was a player. Always respected him for that.
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I've warmed to Keane over the years, and have almost forgiven him for Saipan.
But can you forgive him for Iwo Jima?
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He's extremely obnoxious. Adept at bringing any atmosphere down and clearly had no qualms about maiming opponents. He displays disdain for anything that isn't him and is so miserable ITV bring in Graham Souness to make Roy seem "light". He's the living embodiment of those who can do, those who can't say something headliney at half time.
Heard he's nice to animals though, so maybe he should front Countryfile.
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Came across this on some site called Planet Football. Written by somebody called Nestor Watach. Comments on the back of a fag packet please. ;D
The games between the Premier League’s top sides often have a major bearing on who ends up winning the title, and who ends up qualifying for Europe. So who have done best out of Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham in their direct head-to-head clashes in 2024-25 so far?
https://www.planetfootball.com/stats-tables/premier-league-big-six-head-to-head-table-2024-25-man-city-arsenal-liverpool-man-utd-chelsea
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Came across this on some site called Planet Football. Written by somebody called Nestor Watach. Comments on the back of a fag packet please. ;D
The games between the Premier League’s top sides often have a major bearing on who ends up winning the title, and who ends up qualifying for Europe. So who have done best out of Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham in their direct head-to-head clashes in 2024-25 so far?
https://www.planetfootball.com/stats-tables/premier-league-big-six-head-to-head-table-2024-25-man-city-arsenal-liverpool-man-utd-chelsea
An anagram of Nestor Watach is Arch Nose Twat .
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Speaking on the Rest is Football podcast Lineker waxed lyrical about Rogers' heroics against Wolves:
"I'll tell you who was good again, Morgan Rogers. I mean, he was really, really good, and he was probably the one that turned it round more than anyone else."
Is that true or is Lineker saying that as it was Rogers with two assists but was Rogers the catalyst and difference ?
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Deeney included Ezri Konsa but not Rogers in BBC team of the week
"I know Konsa played as a right-back to start with, but he moved as the game developed. He has become one of the best defenders England have got. He's very consistent and can can play anywhere across the backline. He came up with a pivotal goal for Aston Villa as well"
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Deeney is such a fucking moron. "Can play anywhere along the back line." Well, as long as it's either right of central defence or right back, he can.
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SKY sports on Sunday morning - the main headline with regards to the football was that Liverpool were top of the table (they then showed the Liverpool goals) you would have thought that they then would have showed our game, but NO, they showed the Man Utd goal less draw and discussed that game for a few minutes!
I turned it off at that point - If we win the league and all the cup competitions this season, SKY sports would still talk about Man Utd and the other BIG 6 clubs etc.. before us.
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Deeney is such a fucking moron. "Can play anywhere along the back line." Well, as long as it's either right of central defence or right back, he can.
Saliba often carries Gabriel and the latter was out of position and unaware (fupp knows how) of Haaland for the first goal. Deeney seems to be unaware of him being unaware too. Fair enough he scored but he shouldn't be in team of the week
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Deeney is such a fucking moron. "Can play anywhere along the back line." Well, as long as it's either right of central defence or right back, he can.
Saliba often carries Gabriel and the latter was out of position and unaware (fupp knows how) of Haaland for the first goal. Deeney seems to be unaware of him being unaware too. Fair enough he scored but he shouldn't be in team of the week
Deeney, and Crooks before him, only looks at who scored for most of the outfield positions in his TOTW. Rogers didn’t score so does not register with Deeney. Very few midfielders have matched up to Tielemans this season but I don’t recall him coming under consideration for TOTW.
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Is Deeney on Jenas's BBC salary? Money for old dopes. They've got a surplus from Edwards' departure too but that's no reason to not pay your TV license you cheeky devils.
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For anyone on the "why don't people talk about us and give us any credit?" train, today's Football Ramble leads with a solid 15 minutes on how good we are, if they want something to soothe their troubles.
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Ipswich vs Aston Villa pundit predictions:
Pundit Mark Lawrenson : "I’m going to stick my neck out and have this as my upset of the weekend. Ipswich have got better every game and they put up a good fight, at the very least, every match."
Also says:
"Jhon Duran scored again off the bench, I bet he’s one of those who’s lethal off the bench but goes missing if he starts. We’ll see."
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Pundits predictions scoreline Ipswich vs Villa
Villa Win
2-0 Paul Merson, Neville, Carragher
2-1 Sutton, Keane , Wright , Jill Scott
Loss
1-2 Lawrenson
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Aston Villa Bayern Munich TNT Sports
Unfortunately, I'll have to put up with TNT coverage featuring dumb pundits. The 'Fletch' guy main TNT commentator for the young boys match, stated that Emi Martinez would be an excellent fit for Athletico Madrid during the actual game.
You can imagine him playing for Diego Simone's Athletico Madrid; he and Simone would be an ideal match. Despicable!
Also several times camera was on our club owner the hero Sawiris with commentators silent and no idea. Poor.
Rio Ferdinand didn't know about how good we are with set pieces and who Austin McPhee was in match and was briefed at half time.
I hope they bring in some Villa-affiliated pundits. I doubt it, because they have a usual team and Joe Cole and Crouch aren't really noteworthy in that department for Villas cause.
I'm sure TNT will have an interview or two with perhaps a class onf 82 and last time they had Fletch talking with Morgan Rogers Dad.
Owen Hargreaves, on the other hand, will most likely be on due to his Bayern Munich affiliation! Do we have to now hope for Martin Keown for our defence then? His faux love and his mention of his tike at the club . And we all know Arsenal is his passion so if they are playing he will have his mind elsewhere!
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Beautiful!
Anyone h and v here in choir and like to worship?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/cn4ywj57130o
To celebrate qualifying for the competition, and to mark the historic occasion, choirs across the Midlands have been singing the iconic Champions League theme.
They told BBC Midlands Today's David Lumb what Villa's achievement meant to them.
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Beautiful!
Anyone h and v here in choir and like to worship?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/cn4ywj57130o
To celebrate qualifying for the competition, and to mark the historic occasion, choirs across the Midlands have been singing the iconic Champions League theme.
They told BBC Midlands Today's David Lumb what Villa's achievement meant to them.
Would have been better had everyone sung in tune
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Well I think it's beautiful.
And well done to them all for learning and singing along.
I wondered if any choristers or worshippers are among the site?
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Well I think it's beautiful.
And well done to them all for learning and singing along.
I wondered if any choristers or worshippers are among the site?
I used to sing in a choral society when younger, and actually trained as a music teacher, so I think I know out-of-tune singing when I hear it!
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I’m not in a choir but I know when someone is singing out of tune. That’s all I’m saying.
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Well I think it's beautiful.
And well done to them all for learning and singing along.
I wondered if any choristers or worshippers are among the site?
Can we keep it on topic please. New thread needed.
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I’m not in a choir but I know when someone is singing out of tune. That’s all I’m saying.
Listening to Bob Dylan will do that.
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Sorry Footy, but that is absolutely fucking awful.
To paraphrase Liam from The Villa Podcast, it's the worst thing that has ever happened.
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You miserable lot. It’s like I’ve woken up and Simon Cowell, Nasty Nigel and Craig Revel Horwood have infiltrated the site!
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Well I think it's beautiful.
And well done to them all for learning and singing along.
I wondered if any choristers or worshippers are among the site?
I used to sing in a choral society when younger, and actually trained as a music teacher, so I think I know out-of-tune singing when I hear it!
I am tone deaf, a real embarrassment to my family and friends, but even I can tell it’s rubbish.
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I was a singer in the 44th best band from Birmingham in the noughties (as voted for by Blue Whale Studios and readers) and that is cack.
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Reminds me when I was a child in a religious sect and when singing the hymns, most were bland and tuneless singing but one woman either used to be into opera, or just believed she should be and used to do it in a high soprano type wail.
But looking at most of the names of the groups in there, they seemed to be ones to get people together regardless of talent, so no surprise on the quality really. (Apart from the Aston Uni one at the start where the bloke was only there as he obviously fancied one of the girls.
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I was a singer in the 44th best band from Birmingham in the noughties (as voted for by Blue Whale Studios and readers) and that is Blues.
Not my words Carol, the words of Blue Whale Studios.
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I was a singer in the 44th best band from Birmingham in the noughties (as voted for by Blue Whale Studios and readers) and that is Blues.
Not my words Carol, the words of Blue Whale Studios.
Only the band the Beatles could have been.
Didn’t realise d*gsh*t autocorrects to Blues. Changed it to cack.
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https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/crejqw34r3xo
Sorry why is it a black and white photo ?
I don't like how BBC article has put Villa victory against Bayern Munich in black and white depicting it's as if it was even longer than it was.
They made a decision to do that rather than colour didn't they?
I mean it wasn't black and white photos then?
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https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/crejqw34r3xo
Sorry why is it a black and white photo ?
I don't like how BBC article has put Villa victory against Bayern Munich in black and white depicting it's as if it was even longer than it was.
They made a decision to do that rather than colour didn't they?
I mean it wasn't black and white photos then?
Black and white photos exist now. Could easily be a stylistic decision. I wouldn’t worry too much.
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https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/crejqw34r3xo
Sorry why is it a black and white photo ?
I don't like how BBC article has put Villa victory against Bayern Munich in black and white depicting it's as if it was even longer than it was.
They made a decision to do that rather than colour didn't they?
I mean it wasn't black and white photos then?
Black and white photos exist now. Could easily be a stylistic decision. I wouldn’t worry too much.
I have my suspicions though trying to do us an injustice!.
Thanks anyway . Enjoy the match or feel the moments when you can this evening.
Up The Villa!
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They have been very good on 5 live tonight in the Villa coverage. Start to finish. Even relegated their favourites Liverpool to also rans.
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They have been very good on 5 live tonight in the Villa coverage. Start to finish. Even relegated their favourites Liverpool to also rans.
Same as TNT
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We Matter. We matter.
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I liked Hargreaves.
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I liked Hargreaves.
Same. Very considered in what he says.
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They have been very good on 5 live tonight in the Villa coverage. Start to finish. Even relegated their favourites Liverpool to also rans.
They did on Talksport earlier as well. Think it captured the imagination a bit more than the same old teams in the competition.
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Popping this here because Guillem Balague is media/pundit I guess.
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Oliver Holt in the Daily Mail, he should post on here, maybe he does...
Unai Emery's men channelled the class of 1982 in conquering of Bayern Munich... their silencing of Vincent Kompany's free-scoring German giants proves Aston Villa are BACK, writes OLIVER HOLT
A couple of hours before the bus carrying the Bayern Munich players even arrived at Villa Park, home fans began making their pilgrimages to the mural on Trinity Road that abuts the ground.
Kids and adults alike, they stood with their backs to the giant likeness of that big-eared European Cup, to have their pictures taken, framed against the claret and blue of Aston Villa, and flanked by digits, ten feet high, recording the greatest number in their history: 1982.
Around the corner, flowers had been laid at the foot of the statue of William McGregor, who served variously as president, director and chairman of the club in the late 19th century, and was the founder of the Football League.
The flowers, and the messages that accompanied them, were for Gary Shaw, the striker who died last month but will be forever enshrined in our memories as the lad with a startling shock of blonde hair who was one of the stars of the Villa side that won the greatest club tournament of all.
Upstairs, in the crowded press room, one seat remained empty and, on the desk next to it, there was a picture of Shaw with the European Cup that he and his team-mates won in Rotterdam 42 years ago when they beat Bayern in the final.
The occasion needed little billing. Long considered sleeping giants, the West Midlands club were back where they feel they belong
And the mind drifted back. All the way back to March 2nd, 1983, a Wednesday night, a school night for me then, the last time Villa played a European Cup or Champions League tie in front of their own fans.
I was here at Villa Park that night when Villa played the mighty Juventus. Not in the comfort of a press box seat, not with grey hair and a pair of spectacles, staring at a lap-top, fretting about words and deadlines.
But wide-eyed with excitement, carried along by the crowd, swaying and surging in the roiling, broiling magnificence of the Holte End, a majestic terrace that seemed to rise up all the way to the night sky.
I still remember the visceral thrill of seeing Paolo Rossi, the hero of the previous summer's World Cup, scoring in front of us in the second minute as if it were yesterday. For a long time, I did not watch replays of that goal. I wanted to preserve it in my memory as I had seen it, not have it refracted by television.
I remember the thrill of seeing Michel Platini play live. And Zbigniew Boniek. And Marco Tardelli, still the holder of the prize for the greatest goal celebration of all time. And Rossi. And the notorious hatchet man, Claudio Gentile.
And then there was Villa. English clubs were kings of Europe then, even more than they are now, and Villa had beaten Bayern Munich to lift the trophy the previous summer to add their name to the recent triumphs of Liverpool and Nottingham Forest. They were our standard-bearers that season.
I loved watching Gordon Cowans play most of all. He scored the equaliser for Villa in that European Cup quarter final first leg before Boniek grabbed a late winner for Juve. I loved Cowans' elegance, his passing and his vision. He was my favourite Villa player.
Shaw was not far behind. What a striker he was. There was something wonderfully unvarnished about him, too. He was the kid of the team, the youngest of all of them. There was nothing cynical about him. He played with joy written all over his features. He was the kind of player neutrals loved.
So this was a hugely emotional night in the Second City. It was a hymn to the past but it was also an embrace of Villa's renaissance under coach Unai Emery. That it should be Bayern who were Villa's first Champions League visitors gave the evening a beautiful symmetry.
In the place of Rossi, Platini and Tardelli, a new generation of Villa fans, including Prince William, will remember this night as the occasion they saw another of the great European giants at this cathedral of English football, the night they got to watch stars like Manuel Neuer, Joshua Kimmich, Jamal Musiala, Kingsley Coman and England's all-time leading goalscorer Harry Kane.
Bayern have scored 30 goals in seven games under the management of Vincent Kompany this season, including their 9-2 rout of Dinamo Zagreb in their first Champions League tie. They started like royalty, too. Kane had an early header saved by Emiliano Martinez but replays showed he had drifted offside.
Villa were not overawed for long, though. They thought they had scored midway through the half when Torres toe-poked the ball past Neuer after a goalmouth melee but a VAR check showed Jacob Ramsey was offside earlier in the move.
Dayot Upamecano was booked for pulling down Ollie Watkins when Watkins span away from him to chase a high ball over the top but Bayern should have taken the lead when Serge Gnabry burst free down the right. Kane was screaming for the ball in the middle but Gnabry blasted it high and wide. Kane made his displeasure clear.
Kompany brought Jamal Musiala on at half time. Quite why he had not started the match was a mystery because he is a Rolls Royce of a player and his influence helped Bayern regain the upper hand. An hour had gone when he dribbled past half the Villa team and was only denied a goal by a last-ditch block.
Now and again, the cameras showed some of the Boys of 82, including the captain, Dennis Mortimer, and Peter Withe, the scorer of the winner against Bayern 42 years ago, gazing down from the stands.
Withe may have been particularly interested in the performances of Kane and Watkins, the strikers duelling for the role as England's centre forward, but both were relatively peripheral. Watkins was substituted with 20 minutes to go.
His replacement was Jhon Duran, the supersub who has made a habit of scoring spectacular late goals. Now, on this night of all nights, he did it again. Pau Torres swept the ball forward to him, and even though Upamecano was shadowing him, Duran saw that Neuer had ventured out of his goal.
Duran swivelled and hit the ball with his left foot in one movement, lifting it brilliantly over Neuer and into the net. Villa Park erupted in joy. Fans hugged each other. Some wept. Football is beautiful like that. Its traditions and its histories echo down the ages.
And sometimes, on special nights like this, history repeats itself. Martinez saved superbly late on from Michael Olise and when the final whistle went, Villa had won 1-0, just as they did on that golden night in Rotterdam 42 years ago.
How Gary Shaw would have loved it. How he would have revelled in what is happening at his club. Villa are back.
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Posted this on the post match page but perhaps it should be here
From The Athletic
ASTON VILLA 1
BAYERN MUNICH 0
HOW SUPERSUB JOHN DURAN SCORED HIS CHAMPIONS LEAGUE STUNNER
Jhon Duran scored a stunning goal off the bench once again to deliver a famous Champions League victory over Bayern Munich on a big night at Villa Park.
Villa thought they had taken the lead in the 22nd minute when Pau Torres poked home, only for VAR to rule Jacob Ramsey had strayed offside in the build-up.
The game was the first in this tournament to be played at Villa Park in 41 years and was also a repeat of the 1982 European Cup final that Villa won. In attendance was William, Prince of Wales, the heir to the British throne.
Bayern dominated possession at times and had good chances themselves with Emi Martinez at his best to deny Harry Kane but it was Duran who again showcased the talent that has led team-mates to say he “can be one of the best strikers in the world”.
HOW DID DURAN SCORE FROM THERE?
Duran is arguably the best supersub in Europe. And on Villa Park’s biggest night in decades and in the Champions League against Bayern Munich, he was the difference-maker again.
Duran was introduced in the 69th minute after Ollie Watkins’ battle with Dayot Upamecano had run its course. Villa manager Unai Emery recognised that with Duran’s pace and power, freshness might offer the point of difference.
The goal itself was a mess from a defensive standpoint but was a result of Bayern’s defenders being content to follow Villa’s attackers and, in turn, be dragged out of shape.
Goalkeeper Martinez started off the move quickly before Torres played a whipped left-footed pass into the channel where Duran was ahead of Upamecano.
As the ball bounced towards him, the Colombia international had one look up to spot how far advanced Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer was.
And while he had little time to set himself, he epitomised his confidence by backing himself to lob Neuer, who was stranded outside of his box.
Duran’s record off the bench in all competitions now reads nine goals and 38 shots from an xG of 4.55 — effectively finishing twice as well as the average striker.
DID WATKINS SOFTEN UP UPAMECANO?
Bayern’s aggressive, man-for-man pressing took one major risk: they were leaving Watkins isolated against Upamecano.
Vincent Kompany clearly felt there were enough upsides, being able to stifle Villa’s central-focused build-up and dominating possession (65 per cent in the first half).
However, the fatal flaw in the scheme was consistently exposed in the first half. Villa’s early counter-attacking play struggled to materialise, often picking the wrong pass after a regain or executing it poorly. It took them 15 minutes, but they found their rhythm and the passes to Watkins started to click.
On the first occasion where Watkins was in a footrace against Upamecano, with the France international the only defender between him and the goal, they got their legs in a tangle and both hit the floor. Watkins had him booked later in the half when he dropped in as Villa built up, then spun in behind and Upamecano pulled him over.
Kompany had spoken of Villa’s “threat on the counter and the runs they want to make in behind” before the game, listing it as the reason for their success last season.
It took them 80 minutes, and the substitution of Duran for Watkins, but Villa finally made the most of Upamecano being on a yellow card. He’d made some risky but clean and aggressive touch-tight tackles when Watkins dropped in and received passes to feet. With a fresh Duran on, Villa could double down on going in behind, and Duran’s freedom to lob Neuer owed to Upamecano being booked and unable to dive in.
HOW LOUD WAS VILLA PARK?
There are venues where the Champions League anthem is drowned out by boos. Not Villa Park. Aston Villa’s supporters were so pumped up — so excited to hear it inside their stadium at last — that they belted out the last words, “THE CHAMPIONS!”, the way some of the Italian fans do.
There were fireworks too, adding to the sense of occasion, but a party atmosphere gave way to a certain nervous tension once the action started and Bayern enjoyed long spells of possession, undeterred by the enquiries from the Holte End, where the home fans asked, “Who the f***ing hell are you?”
By the end of the evening, the atmosphere had changed completely to one of celebration. It called to mind some of the great nights at Villa Park against Anderlecht and Juventus in the 1980s and Inter Milan in the 1990s. Bayern’s supporters will not forget the deafening roar that greeted Duran’s goal. Villa Park was back on the European football map and it felt so right.
WHY WAS TORRES' GOAL RULED OUT?
Villa Park celebrated wildly after Torres finished smartly in the 22nd minute to put the home side ahead only for it to be ruled out after a VAR check.
While there was nothing wrong with Torres’ poked close-range finish, the video official spotted that Ramsey (41) was offside from the initial long free kick.
Play was initially allowed to continue and the 23-year-old eventually chased the ball down to keep it in play before it was worked back into the box for Torres eventually to finish, only to have his celebrations cut short.
WHy DID BAYERN’S ATTACKING TALENTS FAIL TO FIRE?
Can any club in Europe rival Bayern Munich’s attacking options? Real Madrid for quality, perhaps, but not in terms of strength or depth.
Bayern could never quite find the right combination tonight, though. Kompany started with Serge Gnabry, Michael Olise and Kingsley Coman behind Kane before turning to Jamal Musiala at half-time and Leroy Sane midway through the second half. Bayern dominated possession and frequently enjoyed spells of pressure, but chances were scarce until stoppage time, when Gnabry missed a sitter and Kane saw a free kick deflected wide and a header brilliantly saved by Martinez.
Villa defended superbly, responding to Emery’s call for better concentration, but an off-night for Bayern’s forward line might focus minds in Munich following their free-scoring start to the season.
They have scored 29 goals in their first six games of the season in all competitions but the last two games, at home against Bayer Leverkusen and away at Villa, have seen a lack of penetration — exacerbated in this case by the manner in which Duran punished Upamecano for the type of minor lapse that always seemed Villa’s most likely route to victory.
HOW WAS PHILOGENE'S FIRST START?
There was only one surprise in Aston Villa’s starting XI — Jaden Philogene replacing Leon Bailey. Philogene was yet to start a game since rejoining Villa from Hull City in the summer.
Philogene was tasked with offering support to Ezri Konsa down Villa’s right, which was an arduous challenge for a 22-year-old who had only played regular football in the Championship to this point. Bayern would station their full-backs high and wide, while Coman would drift into pockets in the left channel and along with Olise drifting over, Bayern intended to create a three-versus-two against Philogene and Konsa down that side.
In the early stages, Philogene looked visibly unsure of who to track — particularly when the ball was on the opposite side, often being either too deep and replicating a right-back or too high. Villa had just 34 per cent possession in the first half, meaning Philogene’s role was mainly without the ball.
He did, however, look more comfortable after switching flanks, owing to Ramsey midway through the first half. Philogene was secure with the ball and combined well with Lucas Digne but had very few one-on-one opportunities against Bayern right-back Konrad Laimer, attempting just one dribble before the break and remained focused on a disciplined role in the second half, even switching back to the right on the hour mark.
While his performance was not one of his typical flair, he carried out the functional remit Emery desired.
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Oliver Holt in the Daily Mail, he should post on here, maybe he does...
Unai Emery's men channelled the class of 1982 in conquering of Bayern Munich... their silencing of Vincent Kompany's free-scoring German giants proves Aston Villa are BACK, writes OLIVER HOLT
A couple of hours before the bus carrying the Bayern Munich players even arrived at Villa Park, home fans began making their pilgrimages to the mural on Trinity Road that abuts the ground.
Kids and adults alike, they stood with their backs to the giant likeness of that big-eared European Cup, to have their pictures taken, framed against the claret and blue of Aston Villa, and flanked by digits, ten feet high, recording the greatest number in their history: 1982.
Around the corner, flowers had been laid at the foot of the statue of William McGregor, who served variously as president, director and chairman of the club in the late 19th century, and was the founder of the Football League.
The flowers, and the messages that accompanied them, were for Gary Shaw, the striker who died last month but will be forever enshrined in our memories as the lad with a startling shock of blonde hair who was one of the stars of the Villa side that won the greatest club tournament of all.
Upstairs, in the crowded press room, one seat remained empty and, on the desk next to it, there was a picture of Shaw with the European Cup that he and his team-mates won in Rotterdam 42 years ago when they beat Bayern in the final.
The occasion needed little billing. Long considered sleeping giants, the West Midlands club were back where they feel they belong
And the mind drifted back. All the way back to March 2nd, 1983, a Wednesday night, a school night for me then, the last time Villa played a European Cup or Champions League tie in front of their own fans.
I was here at Villa Park that night when Villa played the mighty Juventus. Not in the comfort of a press box seat, not with grey hair and a pair of spectacles, staring at a lap-top, fretting about words and deadlines.
But wide-eyed with excitement, carried along by the crowd, swaying and surging in the roiling, broiling magnificence of the Holte End, a majestic terrace that seemed to rise up all the way to the night sky.
I still remember the visceral thrill of seeing Paolo Rossi, the hero of the previous summer's World Cup, scoring in front of us in the second minute as if it were yesterday. For a long time, I did not watch replays of that goal. I wanted to preserve it in my memory as I had seen it, not have it refracted by television.
I remember the thrill of seeing Michel Platini play live. And Zbigniew Boniek. And Marco Tardelli, still the holder of the prize for the greatest goal celebration of all time. And Rossi. And the notorious hatchet man, Claudio Gentile.
And then there was Villa. English clubs were kings of Europe then, even more than they are now, and Villa had beaten Bayern Munich to lift the trophy the previous summer to add their name to the recent triumphs of Liverpool and Nottingham Forest. They were our standard-bearers that season.
I loved watching Gordon Cowans play most of all. He scored the equaliser for Villa in that European Cup quarter final first leg before Boniek grabbed a late winner for Juve. I loved Cowans' elegance, his passing and his vision. He was my favourite Villa player.
Shaw was not far behind. What a striker he was. There was something wonderfully unvarnished about him, too. He was the kid of the team, the youngest of all of them. There was nothing cynical about him. He played with joy written all over his features. He was the kind of player neutrals loved.
So this was a hugely emotional night in the Second City. It was a hymn to the past but it was also an embrace of Villa's renaissance under coach Unai Emery. That it should be Bayern who were Villa's first Champions League visitors gave the evening a beautiful symmetry.
In the place of Rossi, Platini and Tardelli, a new generation of Villa fans, including Prince William, will remember this night as the occasion they saw another of the great European giants at this cathedral of English football, the night they got to watch stars like Manuel Neuer, Joshua Kimmich, Jamal Musiala, Kingsley Coman and England's all-time leading goalscorer Harry Kane.
Bayern have scored 30 goals in seven games under the management of Vincent Kompany this season, including their 9-2 rout of Dinamo Zagreb in their first Champions League tie. They started like royalty, too. Kane had an early header saved by Emiliano Martinez but replays showed he had drifted offside.
Villa were not overawed for long, though. They thought they had scored midway through the half when Torres toe-poked the ball past Neuer after a goalmouth melee but a VAR check showed Jacob Ramsey was offside earlier in the move.
Dayot Upamecano was booked for pulling down Ollie Watkins when Watkins span away from him to chase a high ball over the top but Bayern should have taken the lead when Serge Gnabry burst free down the right. Kane was screaming for the ball in the middle but Gnabry blasted it high and wide. Kane made his displeasure clear.
Kompany brought Jamal Musiala on at half time. Quite why he had not started the match was a mystery because he is a Rolls Royce of a player and his influence helped Bayern regain the upper hand. An hour had gone when he dribbled past half the Villa team and was only denied a goal by a last-ditch block.
Now and again, the cameras showed some of the Boys of 82, including the captain, Dennis Mortimer, and Peter Withe, the scorer of the winner against Bayern 42 years ago, gazing down from the stands.
Withe may have been particularly interested in the performances of Kane and Watkins, the strikers duelling for the role as England's centre forward, but both were relatively peripheral. Watkins was substituted with 20 minutes to go.
His replacement was Jhon Duran, the supersub who has made a habit of scoring spectacular late goals. Now, on this night of all nights, he did it again. Pau Torres swept the ball forward to him, and even though Upamecano was shadowing him, Duran saw that Neuer had ventured out of his goal.
Duran swivelled and hit the ball with his left foot in one movement, lifting it brilliantly over Neuer and into the net. Villa Park erupted in joy. Fans hugged each other. Some wept. Football is beautiful like that. Its traditions and its histories echo down the ages.
And sometimes, on special nights like this, history repeats itself. Martinez saved superbly late on from Michael Olise and when the final whistle went, Villa had won 1-0, just as they did on that golden night in Rotterdam 42 years ago.
How Gary Shaw would have loved it. How he would have revelled in what is happening at his club. Villa are back.
That's lovely, that is.
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JHON.
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Jonathan Liew in The Guardian.
On a glorious night when the club celebrated its past, beating Bayern Munich has turned the clock forward
Pau Torres gathers possession in front of the Holte End, where in 2016 a banner was unfurled reading: “No fight, no pride, no effort, no hope.” He threads the ball over the halfway line, where Tony Xia once stood as the new Aston Villa chairman and promised to build a theme park. In the dugout Unai Emery leans forward expectantly, just a few yards from where – six years ago to the day – a disgruntled fan threw a cabbage at Steve Bruce.
And so as Jhon Durán’s speculative shot brushes the back of the net and the hairs stand up on the back of the neck and the crowd surges and swells, was it all worth it in the end? Worth the indignities, worth the irrelevance, worth 11,000 against Middlesbrough in the League Cup, worth losing at home to Stevenage, worth Remi Garde and Roberto Di Matteo?
One-nil against Bayern Munich. History doesn’t repeat itself, but sometimes it rhymes. And Gary Shaw isn’t here any more, but Dennis Mortimer and Peter Withe are gripping each other tight, and there are grown men in the crowd with tears in their eyes, and Durán is simply smiling and nodding as if to say “I told you so”.
This is a place that has spent the last few decades trying and largely failing to escape its ghosts. The past is everywhere you look here. It lives in the weathered murals and the grainy photos and the famous Brian Moore commentary plastered on to the Doug Ellis Stand, and even in the red brick structure itself, which basically looks like a Victorian sherbet factory, the kind of building you are almost surprised to find still open.
So perhaps it was only natural that Villa Park’s first taste of the Champions League would be freighted by a certain sense of history. And not just the obvious parallels with 1982, but the more recent past, the long and often ignominious journey Aston Villa have taken to get here. Relegations and promotions, five managers in 20 months, getting turned down by Rickie Lambert. A night to feel a little dazed and concussed at the sheer pace of progress, the decades of despair swept away at a stroke.
But of course there is always a danger here too. The danger is that you play the occasion rather than the opponent, the spectre over the flesh. Is second in last season’s Bundesliga really a marked step up in class from fourth in the Premier League? Is Kim Min-jae really that much better than Pau Torres, is Manuel Neuer really a huge upgrade on Emi Martínez, is Harry Kane really in a different class to Ollie Watkins? Put more simply: do you play like the team fulfilling a long-held dream? Or the team that actually belongs at this level?
Twenty minutes into this game, it felt like we had our answer. Bayern had 73% possession and all the territory. Villa were watchful, disciplined, well-spaced, too respectful by far. But Torres’s early strike – though disallowed for offside – seemed to click something into place.
Shortly afterwards Morgan Rogers broke at pace. Amadou Onana had a shot. Jaden Philogene scythed into Alphonso Davies, having maintained a deferent distance for the first quarter of the game. Youri Tielemans wheeled Joshua Kimmich around as if disappearing through a trick door. Suddenly Villa seemed to remember that this was the team who blew last season’s Bundesliga, managed by the guy who lost here with Burnley last season.
And for the likes of Rogers and Philogene, and Jacob Ramsey too before he went off injured, this is the sort of history that matters. Unlike the thousands in the stands, Villa’s young English guard are not scarred by the past, not naturally wary or fatalistic. Does Philogene even register 1982 as a year that happened? Not on this evidence, a whirlwind Champions League debut belying the 43 minutes of football he has had this season and the fact that he was playing for Hull City a few months ago.
Rogers was pretty well unplayable, a spinning machete of a player, flying into clouds of Bayern shirts and somehow emerging with the ball still at his feet.
In between times there were still long spells of Bayern possession, lots of pressure, a few half-chances but until the last few minutes nothing truly frightening. Kane drifted in and out, ubiquitous and yet somehow entirely ephemeral, like the plot in a Claire Denis movie. Villa were able to break with pace and numbers. Finally the exhausted Watkins made way for Durán, and everyone knows what happens when that happens.
Time for a new page. This is a club with a rich and beautiful history, but right now history is not remotely the most interesting thing about it. Perhaps it was fitting that this was a victory largely crafted by the new generation, the players who can show this club where it is going, the young men who can craft its future. On a night when Villa celebrated its past, they somehow ended up turning the clock forward.
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Unusually generous for the Guardian.
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Posted this on the post match page but perhaps it should be here
Same, from F365
Unai Emery wants to turn nights like this for Aston Villa into the norm and if anyone can it’s him. But this was anything but normal. Jhon Duran, you beauty.
Bayern Munich offered a compelling answer in the first 15 minutes to the question posed by the Aston Villa fans at kick-off. Who the f***ing hell are we? The team your lot can’t get the ball off.
All 20 outfield players were in Villa’s half, with Joshua Kimmich dictating play from midfield as those ahead of him interchanged positions in a fluid Vincent Kompany system that prioritises third-man runs and counter-pressing.
Kompany’s side are now a team playing in a manner in keeping with the quality they have in their ranks, as displayed by them scoring nine goals on matchday one in the Champions League and 30 goals across their seven games so far this season. Make no mistake – despite this result – after a fallow season, Bayern Munich are a force to be reckoned with again; a significantly better side than the one that knocked a limp Arsenal out of the competition six months ago.
Michael Olise forced a stunning save from Emiliano Martinez with a dipping shot seemingly destined for the top corner, Serge Gnabry blazed a shot wide having been sent through after a particularly good move from front to back when he should have squared it for Harry Kane, and it felt as though Bayern would eventually break the Villa rearguard, stubborn though it was.
But Villa didn’t need much of the ball to show they very much belong back in Europe’s showcase competition, playing in a repeat of the final they won 42 years ago.
And with 1982 hero Peter Withe watching from the stands it was Aston Villa’s current striker putting the willies up Bayern on Wednesday. Ollie Watkins won all five of his duels in the first half, most of them against Dayot Upamecano, who was frequently left one on one with a guy you really don’t want to be left one on one with.
The centre-back could quite easily have been shown a straight red for bringing Watkins down as the last man in the 15th minute – a challenge the referee inexplicably waved away – and certainly should have played no further part after a very similar challenge saw him cautioned seven minutes later.
“They just need to get that pass right once” was the call on commentary. Unai Emery will argue they did – twice – and should have reaped the deserved reward of playing the majority of the game with an extra man. Turns out they didn’t need the advantage. Not when you’ve got Super Jhon Duran.
That’s now six goals in under 300 minutes of football this season for Duran, five of them clinching victory for his side; this was another beauty.
Pau Torres – who had a fine goal ruled out for offside midway through the first half and was utterly brilliant throughout, both in and out of possession – played a pinpoint 50-yard pass to split the Bayern defence and after a quick glance over his shoulder to spot that Manuel Neuer was doing his I’m A Frustrated Midfielder bit, Duran lifted the ball over the goalkeeper in a moment that combined sheer joy and a sense of inevitability, because this is just what this extraordinary young footballer does.
It got us thinking: do Villa have the second and third best strikers in the Premier League? A debate for another time perhaps, and there will no doubt be further questions as to how Emery can get both of them into his team.
Not that us mere mortals should be questioning what the Spaniard is doing. Having masterminded a two-legged victory over Bayern with Villarreal just over two years ago, he’s beaten them again with another underdog that had its back to the wall for the majority of the game but delivered the killer moment.
Villarreal were knocked out by Liverpool in the semi-final that season, and while we’re not giddy enough just yet to suggest Villa can match that feat in their first taste of top level European football for over four decades, under Emery, after this result, with Big Jhon Duran a guaranteed goal from the bench in every game they play, Villa will fancy getting a result against any team they come up against.
“My idea is to try to get something natural,” Unai Emery said in his pre-match press conference, in reference to a feeling shared by all Villa fans, that it’s “very bad” that the club hasn’t played in the Champions League/European Cup since 1983, with a view to turning what was a night full of emotion for everyone associated with Villa into the norm.
This was anything but normal. It was special; a landmark moment in an incredible rise of a football club that may some time reasonably soon see a 1-0 over the six-time champions of Europe as a run-of-the-mill occurrence. Not just yet though. For now, euphoria isn’t just allowed but expected.
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Guillem Balague at the game last night
https://x.com/guillembalague/status/1841752409627869598?s=46&t=F_xB6uUl753-UBY60OPahA
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I look forward to all the think-piece columns ‘Can Villa maintain their form at the top of the champions league’, similar to last season after the arsenal/Man City wins in the PL. 😁
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Just caught up with BBC Midlands preview from last night.
They managed to interview people in a pub which the graphic called the Whitton Arms, more lazy journalism.
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Guillem Balague at the game last night
https://x.com/guillembalague/status/1841752409627869598?s=46&t=F_xB6uUl753-UBY60OPahA
Not sure if already mentioned, he's writing a book on Unai and the Villa, 'The Giant Awakes'. He's a top man and you can tell just how much he loves us and especially Unai.
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https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/crejqw34r3xo
Sorry why is it a black and white photo ?
I don't like how BBC article has put Villa victory against Bayern Munich in black and white depicting it's as if it was even longer than it was.
They made a decision to do that rather than colour didn't they?
I mean it wasn't black and white photos then?
I think it's just a style, thing. I think the black and white adds a touch of gravitas to it. Press coverage of Villa in the run up to and in the aftermath of yesterday's game has been really good, generally, I reckon.
If you look at other forums the fawning certainly seems to be annoying some of our "rivals", which is always nice to see.
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https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/crejqw34r3xo
Sorry why is it a black and white photo ?
I don't like how BBC article has put Villa victory against Bayern Munich in black and white depicting it's as if it was even longer than it was.
They made a decision to do that rather than colour didn't they?
I mean it wasn't black and white photos then?
I think it's just a style, thing. I think the black and white adds a touch of gravitas to it. Press coverage of Villa in the run up to and in the aftermath of yesterday's game has been really good, generally, I reckon.
If you look at other forums the fawning certainly seems to be annoying some of our "rivals", which is always nice to see.
Walsall FC?, rivals that is
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Great angle of Duran's goal in there...
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Wrong thread...
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Villa Man Utd Pundit Predictions
Win
3-1 Carragher
2-1 Merson
Draw
1-1 Lawrenson, Sutton
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Alan Shearer:
"Aston Villa host Manchester United on Sunday, and it is a huge game, especially for the away side. Man United cannot afford to be humiliated again.
For Aston Villa, they’re at home, they’ll be looking to take the points and use the momentum from that great win over Munich in midweek.
Unai Emery has done a magnificent job at Aston Villa in terms of the whole football club, when you look at where they are at now compared to where they were when he took over. It wouldn’t surprise me if Morgan Rogers is in Lee Carsley’s future England plans. If there was one guy who was not knocking, but banging on the door, then it’s Rogers because of his start to the season. He’s a wonderful player, from when he started at Man City, then Middlesbrough and then to Villa. He’s another one who’s left a big club to go and climb the ladder, so you must respect him for that.
He’s had, without a doubt, one of the best starts of any player in the Premier League.
With Villa’s home record under Emery and the pressure that Man United are under, I’m predicting a home win on Sunday.
I think Ollie Watkins has his mojo back in terms of scoring goals and if he doesn’t perform here, then Duran will come on and score from the bench anyway, just like he did in midweek. Those two will shine again in a home win"
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For anyone who hasn't seen it, check out Paul Merson on Wednesday night's live football show after Duran's goal. Sorry I can't link but it's brilliant.
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For anyone who hasn't seen it, check out Paul Merson on Wednesday night's live football show after Duran's goal. Sorry I can't link but it's brilliant.
Definitely worth a look if anyone can download the full version of it
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For anyone who hasn't seen it, check out Paul Merson on Wednesday night's live football show after Duran's goal. Sorry I can't link but it's brilliant.
Definitely worth a look if anyone can download the full version of it
Is this it ?
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Brilliant!
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Thanks for posting that for us Footy.
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Enjoy these fan reactions v Bayern Munich.
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Enjoy these fan reactions v Bayern Munich.
I’d rather stick my dick in a food blender , all the same.
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Tom Ross the voice of midlands sport providing insights in a Q&A
Date: Tuesday Oct 15th
Time: 19:30 - 21:30
Location: Temper and Brown
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/tom-ross-tickets-1041159394777?aff=ebdssbdestsearch
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Ross did some podcasts a few years ago.
The Games Gone.
Several episodes featured Ex Villa Players and I imagine he'll reel off some info from some of those!
The Aston Villa ones are:
Alex McLeish, Brian Little and Ian Taylor did one together, John Gregorys, Andy Gray, Kenny Swains, Toney Morley, Toney Daly, Sean Teale.
Worth a listen though!
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Can you collate some Gary Shaw pods for us, FV? I'm struggling to find media of our hero from his post-playing days.
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Can you collate some Gary Shaw pods for us, FV? I'm struggling to find media of our hero from his post-playing days.
I couldn't find any past interviews with Gary Shaw other than the recent tributes that have been made.
Doesn't seem to have much media out there of him in same way there are other players
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Cheers for searching.
Does anyone know why Gary Shaw wasn't roped into media or interminable Villa podcast content? Was he too shy, modest or just couldn't be arsed?
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Tim Vickery South American football expert:
'How Duran is fulfilling his potential for Villa and Colombia'
https://www.premierleague.com/news/4146182
Tim Vickery on Jhon Duran
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(https://i.ibb.co/zSXcJSB/IMG-3993.jpg) (https://ibb.co/zSXcJSB)
Can this one go here?
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The Premier League is on the brink of introducing not one, not two, but THREE significant changes to its broadcasting format, promising to transform the viewing experience for fans nationwide.
Among the proposed additions is the introduction of half-time interviews with players or coaches. This marks a radical shift from the tradition of post-match media access, as fans will now have the opportunity to hear directly from those involved in the action during the game.
In a further twist, clubs will be tasked with selecting one of three broadcast options for each Premier League fixture. This could involve insights from players who have been substituted or even a glimpse into the dressing room as the drama unfolds.
According to reports, the current media access rules, which confine interviews to after the match, are set for a shake-up. Traditionally, broadcasters like Sky Sports and TNT Sport manage to interview one or two standout players live, alongside the beloved Match of the Day. Premier League Productions requires at least one player from each club to engage with the media after the final whistle.
For print journalists, however, the access to players has always been a mixed bag, with no guarantees, despite the obligation for players to navigate through the mixed zone following matches. Managers, on the other hand, have a firm requirement to address both television and written press, often engaging with pundits and presenters ahead of kick-off.
If approved, these unprecedented changes promise to enrich the viewing experience by providing unique insights during live matches. Other sports, such as rugby and the NFL, routinely offer cameras access to changing rooms and sidelines, interviewing stars and coaches in real-time. The engagement from football viewers is palpable, with many expressing excitement over the potential changes.
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(https://i.ibb.co/zSXcJSB/IMG-3993.jpg) (https://ibb.co/zSXcJSB)
Can this one go here?
It recorded under-fire manager Erik ten Hag’s team talks for the crunch Premier League game.
A source said: “This is a shocking breach of security and some serious questions will be asked as to how this was allowed to happen. Fortunately, there was nothing sinister to this incident.
“It was just a prankster, who’s actually a United fan, being silly and wanting to hear what was said inside those four walls. But it will definitely be a cause for concern about how they managed to get inside a changing room at one of the Premier League’s biggest clubs just days before a match.”
The Sun has heard the recordings but is choosing not to publish details of them
However, we can reveal Ten Hag’s instructions to the team and individual players can clearly be heard.
The Sun understands the prankster used a phone from China that has a setting where a microphone can be activated by calling it from another device.
He had sticky-taped the handset somewhere out of sight in the United dressing room and only rang it when he knew the manager would be in there.
High alert
Sources claimed the culprit responsible even had the nerve to collect the device on Monday.
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(https://i.ibb.co/zSXcJSB/IMG-3993.jpg) (https://ibb.co/zSXcJSB)
Can this one go here?
I'm assuming he got in on a tour but it is a serious lack of security to be able to do that.
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Who are the top summer signings thus far?
Let's not mention Aston Villa players.
https://www.theguardian.com/football/who-scored-blog/2024/oct/12/best-signings-summer-transfer-window-premier-league-football
In this top 10 best summer signings article , it excludes our key summer signing, who I believe has had as much, if not more, influence than some of individuals featured!
This appears to be a ratings-based top 10, but how do they rank a player?
Though Onana hasn't been fantastic every minute of every game, he has been a positive and effective player having scored a few goals!
Of course, there is a Manchester United player, a Chelsea player, and even a recently promoted Ipswich player, Dara O'Shea! I can't agree with Sancho being the finest summer signing! And the fact that several of those signings aren't considered first choice or starting every game!
I can't believe what I read sometimes.
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WhoScored is just based on raw analytical data, I believe, so it's not this blokes' opinion.
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Tom Ross the voice of midlands sport providing insights in a Q&A
Date: Tuesday Oct 15th
Time: 19:30 - 21:30
Location: Temper and Brown
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/tom-ross-tickets-1041159394777?aff=ebdssbdestsearch
Didn't anyone here attend or have any insights from this evening ?
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F365 occasionally fill the space in the empty vacant international breaks by writing long, 5,000 word pieces ranking the broad mood of all the clubs in the league. It's here (http://https://www.football365.com/news/man-utd-narrowly-avoid-bottom-spot-in-all-important-premier-league-mood-rankings) if you're interested and can cope with the tedious adverts. The hammerings they give Man Utd and Wolves in 19th and 20th are pleasant reading.
Anyway, they have us in first place.
1) Aston Villa
It really is only two years since Stevie ‘Steven Gerrard’ G was leading them into the grim inevitability of another tooth-and-nail fight for their very Premier League survival. The quiet revolution under Unai Emery remains an utterly extraordinary achievement and one that probably remains underacknowledged and underappreciated in the wider Barclays sphere because of the more showy nonsense indulged in by noisier clubs and flashier managers.
But there is no such lack of appreciation among Villa supporters themselves who now find themselves once again supporting the kind of team that beats Bayern Munich in the Big Cup rather than the kind of team that loses 3-0 to Fulham.
For what is at this stage a frankly unnecessary additional layer of joy, Villa also possess in Jhon Duran the season’s breakout cult hero for his now near perfectly crafted bit of coming off the bench and scoring sh*tpingers for fun.
Just a lovely, lovely time to be a Villa fan and with almost no reason to fear it’s all about to come crashing down. Marvellous.
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Nice, and additional accolades for use of the word 'shitpinger' which I like. A lot.
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The Guardian 10 things really setting the standard when it comes to WTF? match previews.
This week for our game, ignoring us and indeed the decent start from the hosts it's "when will Traore turn into a footballer?"
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The Guardian 10 things really setting the standard when it comes to WTF? match previews.
This week for our game, ignoring us and indeed the decent start from the hosts it's "when will Traore turn into a footballer?"
The anti-shitpinger of previews.
But I think the answer is, this weekend, and then never again.
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Did F365 or The Fiver first coin the term "Big Cup"? Or is it the same bunch of funny fellas with big bellies?
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I don't know for sure, but I'd bet heavily on it being the Fiver.
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Fulham V Villa pundit predictions:
Win 2-1 Jamie Carragher
Draw 1-1 Chris Sutton, Mark Lawrenson, Paul Merson
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The Guardian 10 things really setting the standard when it comes to WTF? match previews.
This week for our game, ignoring us and indeed the decent start from the hosts it's "when will Traore turn into a footballer?"
Yes every week the focus is always on the side playing against it's a very odd narrative they have.
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ITV News in hyperdrive over the Red Filth coming from behind to win 2-1 then joyous over Tottenham coming from behind to beat Spam 4-1. I then waited for a similar ecstatic mention of us ……. they moved swiftly on to the Americas Cup.
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ITV News in hyperdrive over the Red Filth coming from behind to win 2-1 then joyous over Tottenham coming from behind to beat Spam 4-1. I then waited for a similar ecstatic mention of us ……. they moved swiftly on to the Americas Cup.
Ooh, how's it going? My friends Tobias and Aloycius want to know.
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MORE PEOPLE ARE INTERESTED IN MANCHESTER UNITED THAN ASTON VILLA. Once you accept this, a peace descends.
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I'm pretty sure Birmingham City have the largest global fanbase. When you go to America, they're all anyone wants to talk about.
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I'm pretty sure Birmingham City have the largest global fanbase. When you go to America, they're all anyone wants to talk about.
Who cares about America? China is where it counts and they're all Wolves.
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Gabby asked Unai the first question at his pre-Brugge presser. Agbonlahor, the intrepid reporter. Finally, he makes us proud for the first time since 2010 :)
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As already seen and observed lots of media attention with the January window signings especially Marcus coming in.
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Jacob seems remarkably well informed he’s my favourite Villa writer.
Transwell mentioned senior sources and sources close to Villa players speak to him on condition of anonymity.
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Transwell, you say ?
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Syntax error overload overload overload
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I know i know i shouldnt but...
Talkshite just - in genralisation
"Rashford has took the lazy , easy option by going to Villa"
"Only gone there as he does not have to move house"
"If Amorim could not get a tune out of him, why does Emery think he can" I nearly smashed the TV at this point.
"None of the big teams looked at him"
Not sure why the media give Amorim such an easy time - pretty much like Crocodile Dundee at Spurs, Doing well in a small league does not qualify you to be a top Manager.
Emery has done it across several leagues in several countries
The distain they use against Villa is appauling
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I know i know i shouldnt but...
Talkshite just - in genralisation
"Rashford has took the lazy , easy option by going to Villa"
"Only gone there as he does not have to move house"
"If Amorim could not get a tune out of him, why does Emery think he can" I nearly smashed the TV at this point.
"None of the big teams looked at him"
Not sure why the media give Amorim such an easy time - pretty much like Crocodile Dundee at Spurs, Doing well in a small league does not qualify you to be a top Manager.
Emery has done it across several leagues in several countries
The distain they use against Villa is appauling
Which fuckwit was it?
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I know i know i shouldnt but...
Talkshite just - in genralisation
"Rashford has took the lazy , easy option by going to Villa"
"Only gone there as he does not have to move house"
"If Amorim could not get a tune out of him, why does Emery think he can" I nearly smashed the TV at this point.
"None of the big teams looked at him"
Not sure why the media give Amorim such an easy time - pretty much like Crocodile Dundee at Spurs, Doing well in a small league does not qualify you to be a top Manager.
Emery has done it across several leagues in several countries
The distain they use against Villa is appauling
Which fuckwit was it?
Alex Crook mainly. He also said players don’t leave Manchester United to go to Aston Villa.
I’ve just sent them a very angry text!
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You're reacting exactly how they want you to.
Don't listen to it.
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Crook is a Man United fan that seems to never, every get a transfer rumour right. He's a total waste of air time.
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Alex Crook mainly. He also said players don’t leave Manchester United to go to Aston Villa.
I’ve just sent them a very angry text!
Which is exactly what they wanted.
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Talksport doing what Talksport does
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I know i know i shouldnt but...
Talkshite just - in genralisation
"Rashford has took the lazy , easy option by going to Villa"
"Only gone there as he does not have to move house"
"If Amorim could not get a tune out of him, why does Emery think he can" I nearly smashed the TV at this point.
"None of the big teams looked at him"
Not sure why the media give Amorim such an easy time - pretty much like Crocodile Dundee at Spurs, Doing well in a small league does not qualify you to be a top Manager.
Emery has done it across several leagues in several countries
The distain they use against Villa is appauling
None of that sounds as bad as the things you were saying about him...a week ago.
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With Crook is Troy (brainbox|) Deeney - how these think fuckers keep getting media gigs are beyond me.
I am no fan of Rashford (because of where he is from rather than actual personal reasons) but the more i hear this
Practices best Keegan impression
I would fooking love it if he rams this shit down their throats and fires us up the league - and even then the narrative would be about him returning to the redfilth.
The point made that playing Amorims "Way" has seen then lost 5/7 at home is a very good one and completely missed by mugs like these
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With Crook is Troy (brainbox|) Deeney - how these think fuckers keep getting media gigs are beyond me.
Probably because people keep listening to them, hang on their every word then breathlessly go and tell people all about them.
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I know i know i shouldnt but...
Talkshite just - in genralisation
"Rashford has took the lazy , easy option by going to Villa"
"Only gone there as he does not have to move house"
"If Amorim could not get a tune out of him, why does Emery think he can" I nearly smashed the TV at this point.
"None of the big teams looked at him"
Not sure why the media give Amorim such an easy time - pretty much like Crocodile Dundee at Spurs, Doing well in a small league does not qualify you to be a top Manager.
Emery has done it across several leagues in several countries
The distain they use against Villa is appauling
Which fuckwit was it?
Alex Crook mainly. He also said players don’t leave Manchester United to go to Aston Villa.
I’ve just sent them a very angry text!
And that is what they want . Crook is a typical arrogant Southern Manc Red twat and thinks the world revolves around that bloody club
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Alan Shearer is on co comms on Sunday evening for Aston Villa v Spurs
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Alan Shearer is on co comms on Sunday evening for Aston Villa v Spurs
Someone will have to fill out an additional fire risk assesment.
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With Crook is Troy (brainbox|) Deeney - how these think fuckers keep getting media gigs are beyond me.
Probably because people keep listening to them, hang on their every word then breathlessly go and tell people all about them.
Yup - it’s their model to drive engagement.
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With Crook is Troy (brainbox|) Deeney - how these think fuckers keep getting media gigs are beyond me.
Probably because people keep listening to them, hang on their every word then breathlessly go and tell people all about them.
Yup - it’s their model to drive engagement.
On the flip side are their any pundits of ex professionals you favour , prefer or feel they give good analysis and insights?
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I know i know i shouldnt but...
Talkshite just - in genralisation
"Rashford has took the lazy , easy option by going to Villa"
"Only gone there as he does not have to move house"
"If Amorim could not get a tune out of him, why does Emery think he can" I nearly smashed the TV at this point.
"None of the big teams looked at him"
Not sure why the media give Amorim such an easy time - pretty much like Crocodile Dundee at Spurs, Doing well in a small league does not qualify you to be a top Manager.
Emery has done it across several leagues in several countries
The distain they use against Villa is appauling
Did they repeatedly mention his physical appearance? Such as his nose for instance?
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With Crook is Troy (brainbox|) Deeney - how these think fuckers keep getting media gigs are beyond me.
Probably because people keep listening to them, hang on their every word then breathlessly go and tell people all about them.
Yup - it’s their model to drive engagement.
On the flip side are their any pundits of ex professionals you favour , prefer or feel they give good analysis and insights?
Most of the questions they ask each other are pretty standard with neither quality or insightful answers.
I listen to some of White and Jordan as they also cover boxing.
I like Durham as a presenter as he isn't overly in awe to the big clubs - as he is a Posh fan.
The Southern Reds can fuck off
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With Crook is Troy (brainbox|) Deeney - how these think fuckers keep getting media gigs are beyond me.
Probably because people keep listening to them, hang on their every word then breathlessly go and tell people all about them.
Yup - it’s their model to drive engagement.
On the flip side are their any pundits of ex professionals you favour , prefer or feel they give good analysis and insights?
I'd like to hear more from Brian Clough.
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We were talking about Micah Richards on the concourse the other week and I said his input could be improved if they put some of them horns on front of him and he played them with his nose like those sealions on variety shows in the 70's.
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With Crook is Troy (brainbox|) Deeney - how these think fuckers keep getting media gigs are beyond me.
Probably because people keep listening to them, hang on their every word then breathlessly go and tell people all about them.
Yup - it’s their model to drive engagement.
On the flip side are their any pundits of ex professionals you favour , prefer or feel they give good analysis and insights?
Liam Rosenior was very good a few years back but then went into management and dropped off.
From Sky I don't have any issues with Evra or Hasselbaink and I can live with Neville despite his clear bias.
From TNT Crouch does what Richards tries to do in a much better way and Hargreaves is ok.
More broadly Robbie Earle and Robbie Mustoe do the US shows and are both very good.
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I know i know i shouldnt but...
Talkshite just - in genralisation
"Rashford has took the lazy , easy option by going to Villa"
"Only gone there as he does not have to move house"
"If Amorim could not get a tune out of him, why does Emery think he can" I nearly smashed the TV at this point.
"None of the big teams looked at him"
Not sure why the media give Amorim such an easy time - pretty much like Crocodile Dundee at Spurs, Doing well in a small league does not qualify you to be a top Manager.
Emery has done it across several leagues in several countries
The distain they use against Villa is appauling
Did they repeatedly mention his physical appearance? Such as his nose for instance?
They did not need to ..................give it a rest you are just trying for a rise
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More broadly Robbie Earle and Robbie Mustoe do the US shows and are both very good.
Agreed they are pretty good as is Tim Howard when he is on
Back home i like Stephen Warnock and Darren Bent is proving to be ok
I see on commentry for TalkShite for our game they are welcoming back.....Jermaine Jenus.. He must have a very good agent ;)
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More broadly Robbie Earle and Robbie Mustoe do the US shows and are both very good.
Agreed they are pretty good as is Tim Howard when he is on
Back home i like Stephen Warnock and Darren Bent is proving to be ok
I see on commentry for TalkShite for our game they are welcoming back.....Jermaine Jenus.. He must have a very good agent ;)
Earle was good until he gotbinned by ITV for giving (selling) freebie tickets away to sponsors competitor
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More broadly Robbie Earle and Robbie Mustoe do the US shows and are both very good.
Agreed they are pretty good as is Tim Howard when he is on
Back home i like Stephen Warnock and Darren Bent is proving to be ok
I see on commentry for TalkShite for our game they are welcoming back.....Jermaine Jenus.. He must have a very good agent ;)
Howard and Warnock are both decent, Bent seems a nice guy but he's a bit dull.
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I quite like Martin Keown.
There, I've said it.
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Stephen Warnock is good and, as I always say, so is Lucy Ward.
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Stephen Warnock is good and, as I always say, so is Lucy Ward.
I didn't include Ward (or a few others) because of the ex-professionals bit in the post i was replying to but yes, she's excellent.
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I quite like Martin Keown.
There, I've said it.
He's okay. Year on year winner of the 'Taking yourself seriously' award.
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I quite like Martin Keown.
There, I've said it.
As long as it’s not Arsenal v Aston Villa Keown is good value
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I know i know i shouldnt but...
Talkshite just - in genralisation
"Rashford has took the lazy , easy option by going to Villa"
"Only gone there as he does not have to move house"
"If Amorim could not get a tune out of him, why does Emery think he can" I nearly smashed the TV at this point.
"None of the big teams looked at him"
Not sure why the media give Amorim such an easy time - pretty much like Crocodile Dundee at Spurs, Doing well in a small league does not qualify you to be a top Manager.
Emery has done it across several leagues in several countries
The distain they use against Villa is appauling
Did they repeatedly mention his physical appearance? Such as his nose for instance?
They did not need to ..................give it a rest you are just trying for a rise
I’m not. I’m just hopeful you’ll reconsider saying stuff like that in future, considering what appears to have annoyed you.
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I quite like Martin Keown.
There, I've said it.
He's okay. Year on year winner of the 'Taking yourself seriously' award.
I love him because you never know what unintentionally hilarious thing he's going to say next. From the classic "old people die" about Wenger, to that time they were joking about him being late and he killed the laughter stone dead with "somebody jumped in front of a train".
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I know i know i shouldnt but...
Talkshite just - in genralisation
"Rashford has took the lazy , easy option by going to Villa"
"Only gone there as he does not have to move house"
"If Amorim could not get a tune out of him, why does Emery think he can" I nearly smashed the TV at this point.
"None of the big teams looked at him"
Not sure why the media give Amorim such an easy time - pretty much like Crocodile Dundee at Spurs, Doing well in a small league does not qualify you to be a top Manager.
Emery has done it across several leagues in several countries
The distain they use against Villa is appauling
Did they repeatedly mention his physical appearance? Such as his nose for instance?
They did not need to ..................give it a rest you are just trying for a rise
I’m not. I’m just hopeful you’ll reconsider saying stuff like that in future, considering what appears to have annoyed you.
Thanks for the guidance...appreciated
One pundit that is really grinding me on Villa games is Alan nasal Smith, really boring monotone drivel usually spouting the bloody obvious.
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Ok Mute, turn on, turn off.
Dion Dublin, Alan Smith or Alan Shearer.
Mute Dublin
Turn on Alan Smith
Turn off Alan Shearer
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Ok Mute, turn on, turn off.
Dion Dublin, Alan Smith or Alan Shearer.
Mute Dublin
Turn on Alan Smith
Turn off Alan Shearer
Smash
Smash
Smash
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Roy Keane being totally disrespectful to us on pitch side tonight when asked about Rashford. Ian Wright put him in his place.
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What'd the cvnt say?
Keown's alright but he looks too Simian Mobile Disco, the short hair makes his big ears bigger. He should bring back his 80s mullet.
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For the BBC coverage of Aston Villa v Tottenham
Mark Chapman presenting at Villa Park this evening
Dion Dublin and Joe Hart as the pundits. Shearer on co commentary duties.
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Didn't know where to post this but it came up on my social media feed and might be mildly of interest...
(https://i.ibb.co/rGZZ6GyK/Screenshot-20250209-095350-Chrome.jpg) (https://ibb.co/rGZZ6GyK)
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I’ve not found Pete Schaad’s Holy Trinity podcast on YouTube this week reviewing the Tottenham FA Cup game. Anybody know the reason why he wouldn’t have produced one?
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Ill at the moment. Big flu type thing hitting Canada.
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Aah, cheers pal
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Stephen Warnock is good and, as I always say, so is Lucy Ward.
Lucy knows her football, but for goodness' sake talking at great length over the play is awful and makes me reach for the mute button.
As Richie Benaud was taught by the BBC, you're talking to people who are watching on TV. Tell them something interesting then shut up.
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But more and more, commentators seem to be describing the action for visually impaired people.
"It's hit the bar! The rebound falls to X! He can only hit the side netting! etc.". Yes, I know! I just watched it!
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And radio commentary these days gives you less information rather than more.
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Ill at the moment. Big flu type thing hitting Canada.
Thank fuck for that I was fearing the worst. Love his shows and met him and his wife when he was last over. Was looking forward to his window and Spurs analysis. I have already forgotten the Wolves fuck up.
Get well soon Mr Schaad
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I've just seen that the football journalist Patrick Barclay has died.
Sad news, I always enjoyed his writing.
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I've just seen that the football journalist Patrick Barclay has died.
Sad news, I always enjoyed his writing.
Was sad to hear his passing
You may have probably read this but, will share for others too
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/feb/16/patrick-barclay-obituary
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Good to see that in the interest of fairness and balance the Times report on the Liverpool match was written by their Northern Football Correspondent.
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In fairness, the Times almost certainly consider Birmingham to be "Northern".
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In fairness, the Times almost certainly consider Birmingham to be "Northern".
Anything north of Watford, isn't it?
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In fairness, the Times almost certainly consider Birmingham to be "Northern".
If there's one thing I'd put in Room 101 and have a massive fucking rant on the telly about it would be the North/South divide. Its as if the East and West Midlands and the 12 million people who fucking live there don't bloody exist. And northerners are just about as annoying about this as fucking southerners.
Free Mercia!
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In fairness, the Times almost certainly consider Birmingham to be "Northern".
If there's one thing I'd put in Room 101 and have a massive fucking rant on the telly about it would be the North/South divide. Its as if the East and West Midlands and the 12 million people who fucking live there don't bloody exist. And northerners are just about as annoying about this as fucking southerners.
Free Mercia!
As CD alludes to, I genuinely do think it's because each side (Northern/Southern) considers us part of the other.
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In fairness, the Times almost certainly consider Birmingham to be "Northern".
If there's one thing I'd put in Room 101 and have a massive fucking rant on the telly about it would be the North/South divide. Its as if the East and West Midlands and the 12 million people who fucking live there don't bloody exist. And northerners are just about as annoying about this as fucking southerners.
Free Mercia!
Agreed, and to be even more specific, I hate how often funding for things gets divided between the north and south and the midlands falls through the gaps.
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In fairness, the Times almost certainly consider Birmingham to be "Northern".
If there's one thing I'd put in Room 101 and have a massive fucking rant on the telly about it would be the North/South divide. Its as if the East and West Midlands and the 12 million people who fucking live there don't bloody exist. And northerners are just about as annoying about this as fucking southerners.
Free Mercia!
As CD alludes to, I genuinely do think it's because each side (Northern/Southern) considers us part of the other.
Oh yes, and they can both fuck off with it as well. As you can sense this really does boil my piss.
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In fairness, the Times almost certainly consider Birmingham to be "Northern".
If there's one thing I'd put in Room 101 and have a massive fucking rant on the telly about it would be the North/South divide. Its as if the East and West Midlands and the 12 million people who fucking live there don't bloody exist. And northerners are just about as annoying about this as fucking southerners.
Free Mercia!
As CD alludes to, I genuinely do think it's because each side (Northern/Southern) considers us part of the other.
Oh yes, and they can both fuck off with it as well. As you can sense this really does boil my piss.
I agree, mate.
My like/dislike of cities tends to align with their relative proximity to Birmingham.
Excepting Wolverhampton and Coventry, both of which are shit.
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When it comes to funding, Powerhouses and the like, the "North" is usually classed as, in descending order of kind words, Manchester, Leeds, rest of Yorkshire, Liverpool. If you sit higher than the end of the M1 you may as well be Midlands for all the help/attention you'll get.
We should twin with Newcastle and create a worraboutus zone.
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I'm all for independence for the midlands. Birmingham the capital city and Villa Park rebuilt as a 100k national stadium.
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Ill at the moment. Big flu type thing hitting Canada.
Has this been confirmed - must be a pretty bad dose to keep him away
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He did a small video on his Twitter or somewhere stating it. But I can't find it now so maybe it has turned more serious.
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In other news, no Villa players made it to Troy's team of the week.
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In other news, no Villa players made it to Troy's team of the week.
None of them were Monsters. He also forgot that Konate played twice in the week so ignored that he conceded two goals.
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In other news, no Villa players made it to Troy's team of the week.
Good.
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In other news, no Villa players made it to Troy's team of the week.
Good.
Troy's team of the week. Who in their right mind gives any credence to this?
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He’s making Garth Crooks look intelligent , which takes some doing.
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Come on, he'll say we're obsessed. Let's not. And in fairness, he cheered the Villa goal when it went in although that might have been to wind up the Chelsea fan he was co-hosting with on Talksport.
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Asensio was the Player of the Week and therefore in the team of the week on FotMob based on his rating.
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He needs to invest in a decongestion nasal spray. He's had a blocked nose for about 10 years
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Talking of Talksport:
"Has aaannnyyyyyone seen Jason Cundy...?" and any other of the Chelsea fans on that station?
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Ill at the moment. Big flu type thing hitting Canada.
Has this been confirmed - must be a pretty bad dose to keep him away
Just checked his X and looks like he was diagnosed with pneumonia a few days back but thankfully on the mend now.
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I wish NBC would replace Peter Drury with Ray Hudson - there'd never be a dull moment.
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He needs to invest in a decongestion nasal spray. He's had a blocked nose for about 10 years
Its his blue nose
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Sounds green to me.
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Ill at the moment. Big flu type thing hitting Canada.
Has this been confirmed - must be a pretty bad dose to keep him away
Just checked his X and looks like he was diagnosed with pneumonia a few days back but thankfully on the mend now.
Thanks for the update
Get well soon Pete
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This seems as good as place as any to put this. Can someone at the Villa media team please teach whoever commentates on the Villa TV packages (Regan?) to calm the fuck down. I get the impression he's come from radio commentary and is still trying to fit 300 words in to describe a minute of action when the pictures, a few sentences and some silence would be better. It really is getting on my nerves and distracts from what is usually some well put together segments of highlights.
Less is definitely more in this scenario.
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This seems as good as place as any to put this. Can someone at the Villa media team please teach whoever commentates on the Villa TV packages (Regan?) to calm the fuck down. I get the impression he's come from radio commentary and is still trying to fit 300 words in to describe a minute of action when the pictures, a few sentences and some silence would be better. It really is getting on my nerves and distracts from what is usually some well put together segments of highlights.
Less is definitely more in this scenario.
It is Mark Regan but I was under the impression that you can listen to the game so he has to describe all of the action for that audience primarily.
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This seems as good as place as any to put this. Can someone at the Villa media team please teach whoever commentates on the Villa TV packages (Regan?) to calm the fuck down. I get the impression he's come from radio commentary and is still trying to fit 300 words in to describe a minute of action when the pictures, a few sentences and some silence would be better. It really is getting on my nerves and distracts from what is usually some well put together segments of highlights.
Less is definitely more in this scenario.
It is Mark Regan but I was under the impression that you can listen to the game so he has to describe all of the action for that audience primarily.
Ah that explains it then, in effect it’s a radio Commentary played over the pictures. Ho hum I’m sure I’ll cope but it’s very annoying.
I’m always startled by how different radio and TV commentary is and how it massively affects your enjoyment and involvement in a game.
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I listen to a lot of games that are not televised on the Villa tv audio commentary. My Wife who is not a fan of the mainstream tv commentary teams thinks the Villa guy Regan? Is great but she especially likes Ian Taylor’s comments when he’s co commentator.
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I know Villa used to, so I assume they still do, provide commentary for blind fans in the ground. So that may be why Regan is as he is.
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ITV's Coronation Street has been bumped off screen for Mark Pougatch , Wright and Keane providing build up to game tonight
Sam Matterface and Lee Dixon on commentary.
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ITV's Coronation Street has been bumped off screen for Mark Pougatch , Wright and Keane providing build up to game tonight
Sam Matterface and Lee Dixon on commentary.
Every silver lining has a cloud.
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I shall turn on at KO, off at HT and only watch the aftermath if we win.
Yes, it's juvenile but I couldn't give 2 fucks.
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Earlier this season: Can Villa win the champions league
Fair play To Wright ! and Keane
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I was just listening to the Lineker/Shearer/Micah Richards podcast, where they were talking about the CL games. After talking about PSG's win; our former captain said he hoped PSG would go all the way and win The Champions League.
Shearer picks him up, tbf and he backtracks rapidly. About 6mins 11 secs in
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I couldn't listen to those 3 knobheads for more than 30 seconds.
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Lineker seems like a really, really nice bloke. With the amount of shit puns he does, I'm surprised he's not seen as a God on here.
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Lineker is a decent bloke, and seems fairly witty. I still never listen to football podcasts, though. I just feel I get my football fix from watching football and posting shit on here, and that's enough for me.
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I used to listen to a few but have narrowed it down quite a bit (basically only football weekly). I definitely felt more knowledgeable for listening to them. I find Micah grating so I wouldn't listen to this particular one and I find the 'humour' cringey. I only listen to the Villa Podcast when we have lost because I find the Irish lads funny when they're pissed off.
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I used to listen to a few but have narrowed it down quite a bit (basically only football weekly). I definitely felt more knowledgeable for listening to them. I find Micah grating so I wouldn't listen to this particular one and I find the 'humour' cringey. I only listen to the Villa Podcast when we have lost because I find the Irish lads funny when they're pissed off.
Liam and Conan are always funny. I listen to every episode.
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Podcasts are dull. It's more of the same. This is enough for me...and even that took about 20 years or whatever it has been to start posting more than once a week.
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I used to listen to a few but have narrowed it down quite a bit (basically only football weekly). I definitely felt more knowledgeable for listening to them. I find Micah grating so I wouldn't listen to this particular one and I find the 'humour' cringey. I only listen to the Villa Podcast when we have lost because I find the Irish lads funny when they're pissed off.
Liam and Conan are always funny. I listen to every episode.
Oh I agree, but I listen to so many that I have to be a bit selective, so I just make sure I don't miss them get angry at Cash shooting from distance.
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https://www.instagram.com/reel/DHE81t3ob6M/?igsh=MTFzZXQzYzdlNHRndg==
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https://www.instagram.com/reel/DHE81t3ob6M/?igsh=MTFzZXQzYzdlNHRndg==
What a twat.
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I used to listen to a few but have narrowed it down quite a bit (basically only football weekly). I definitely felt more knowledgeable for listening to them. I find Micah grating so I wouldn't listen to this particular one and I find the 'humour' cringey. I only listen to the Villa Podcast when we have lost because I find the Irish lads funny when they're pissed off.
Liam and Conan are always funny. I listen to every episode.
Oh I agree, but I listen to so many that I have to be a bit selective, so I just make sure I don't miss them get angry at Cash shooting from distance.
Haha true so!
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Football Ramble is the only one I bother with.
I'll do a very rare episode of Football Weekly or that James Richardson one if we've had a proper, spectacular result / performance (Bayern / Man City last season) just to bask in people saying how great we are for as long as possible.
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Ill at the moment. Big flu type thing hitting Canada.
Has this been confirmed - must be a pretty bad dose to keep him away
Just checked his X and looks like he was diagnosed with pneumonia a few days back but thankfully on the mend now.
Thanks for the update
Get well soon Pete
Still not seen this podcast return yet. Does anyone have any updates on Pete Schaad’s health?
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Talk sport Jamie O’Hara want Villa to win the Champions League
Jason Cundy doesn’t want Vila to win it.
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Ill at the moment. Big flu type thing hitting Canada.
Has this been confirmed - must be a pretty bad dose to keep him away
Just checked his X and looks like he was diagnosed with pneumonia a few days back but thankfully on the mend now.
Thanks for the update
Get well soon Pete
Still not seen this podcast return yet. Does anyone have any updates on Pete Schaad’s health?
Prayers . I not sure who they are but wish them good health.
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What if he isn't religious?
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Still not seen this podcast return yet. Does anyone have any updates on Pete Schaad’s health?
He tweeted out on the 13th about some Whitecap news, nothing on his return though. Really bad pneumonia can knock you around for months though and whilst it might not seem hard to do the podcast, I believe he writes and edits all the videos so that can be tiring even when at 100%.
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What if he isn't religious?
Thoughts and prayers?
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Talk sport Jamie O’Hara want Villa to win the Champions League
Jason Cundy doesn’t want Vila to win it.
Never trust a man who can't spell hus own name correctly.
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😂
Cundy's footballing career makes Agbonlahor and O'Hara look like Pele and Madonna.
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Noooo *time goes in slow motion as I scream about the puns*.
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What if he isn't religious?
God is sometimes sound to non-believers.
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Still not seen this podcast return yet. Does anyone have any updates on Pete Schaad’s health?
He tweeted out on the 13th about some Whitecap news, nothing on his return though. Really bad pneumonia can knock you around for months though and whilst it might not seem hard to do the podcast, I believe he writes and edits all the videos so that can be tiring even when at 100%.
With our resurgence in form and continued Champions League adventure I must admit to having really missed his indepth analysis.
Hope he is back very soon
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Still not seen this podcast return yet. Does anyone have any updates on Pete Schaad’s health?
He tweeted out on the 13th about some Whitecap news, nothing on his return though. Really bad pneumonia can knock you around for months though and whilst it might not seem hard to do the podcast, I believe he writes and edits all the videos so that can be tiring even when at 100%.
With our resurgence in form and continued Champions League adventure I must admit to having really missed his indepth analysis.
Hope he is back very soon
He's fine...
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Just watched it - excellent as usual
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I don’t agree with everything he says, I sometimes think some of his conclusions are a bit of a stretch but he’s putting it out there and giving an honest view. Glad he’s back as it’s another viewpoint worth listening to.
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He must have been through a rough time to lose nearly three stones in weight! Good to see him up and running again.
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F365's take on the end of the season
Couple of ways of looking at Aston Villa right now.
They are the Champions League and FA Cup quarter-finalists dreaming of their own drought-ending silverware propelled by the starry January additions of Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio who have won their last four games in all competitions.
But they are also the team that has won only two of their last eight Premier League games and have slipped to ninth and in very real danger of missing out on European football altogether.
For the purposes of the Moods, we will mainly be looking at the former because that does seem to be where the general vibe is with Villa right now.
Those upcoming quarter-finals against equally dangerous foes in Preston and Paris St-Germain feel far more capable of defining Villa’s season than the league run-in.
Villa have undeniably and understandably struggled with the added demands this season of juggling European and domestic assignments. Their weekend form after European midweeks has been notoriously poor. They’re not the first and won’t be the last side to run into that particular wrinkle when stepping up to the Big Cup, but they have found it even harder than most.
But they wouldn’t now want to find themselves suddenly without those extra games to squeeze in. The likelihood is that PSG will prove a step too far in the Champions League. But it is likelihood rather than certainty, and Villa’s own progress to the semi-final of a very, very winnable FA Cup looks far more assured.
They really might need it, though, because if you look for even a moment beyond the headline dreams offered by the cup competitions there is no escaping the fact Villa’s Premier League run-in is distinctly ticklish.
Six of their next seven league games are against direct rivals for European qualification. The only teams currently placed between third and tenth who they won’t face between April 2 and May 10 are Chelsea and themselves.
And sure, the other game in that run is against Southampton – it’s after PSG away as well which is either the best or worst place for it depending on how empty you generally consider a half-full glass to be. And sure, the two games after that tricky run are against Tottenham and Manchester United who are also just awful. But still.
Villa’s season feels in many ways the most thrillingly teetering of those not being carried out by the confirmed basket-case clubs. It could yet end in spectacular glory or drab anti-climax, and it’s really not at all clear at this stage which it will be.
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It's a fair enough assessment I suppose but a bit negative given that it's our first crack at the big cup in over 40 years and that we've gone further than their Liverpool and Man City darlings. It could easily have said they've done brilliantly to have got this far with an inexperienced squad but with Emery in charge they will be looking to progress further or similar. Instead, they've practically written us off.
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Talk sport Jamie O’Hara want Villa to win the Champions League
Jason Cundy doesn’t want Vila to win it.
Never trust a man who can't spell hus own name correctly.
Back in the days when I was on the road (and before the days of smart phones and podcasts) one of the best things I ever heard on Talkshite was Jack Bannister calling Cundy out as the twat he is live on air.
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It's a fair enough assessment I suppose but a bit negative given that it's our first crack at the big cup in over 40 years and that we've gone further than their Liverpool and Man City darlings. It could easily have said they've done brilliantly to have got this far with an inexperienced squad but with Emery in charge they will be looking to progress further or similar. Instead, they've practically written us off.
I thought it was fine and pretty spot on.
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It's a fair enough assessment I suppose but a bit negative given that it's our first crack at the big cup in over 40 years and that we've gone further than their Liverpool and Man City darlings. It could easily have said they've done brilliantly to have got this far with an inexperienced squad but with Emery in charge they will be looking to progress further or similar. Instead, they've practically written us off.
Do you want to bet against us? I think it's fairly spot on and to be honest, we only have ourselves to blame if we miss out in the league as the damage was done in all those home draws and other games where we threw points away (Forest away, not showing up to Palace etc).
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Maybe but even if it is an anti-climax, I imagine it will be more exciting than "drab".
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I used to listen to a few but have narrowed it down quite a bit (basically only football weekly). I definitely felt more knowledgeable for listening to them. I find Micah grating so I wouldn't listen to this particular one and I find the 'humour' cringey. I only listen to the Villa Podcast when we have lost because I find the Irish lads funny when they're pissed off.
Liam and Conan are always funny. I listen to every episode.
It’s the best pod of any kind in my opinion. Even better than Talking Sopranos. No Villa or football pod can hold a candle to it.
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Noticed Platt is being advertised as the latest guest on the Villa podcast. Probably just cynical to think he suddenly wants to acknowledge he once played for us now we are in the CL.
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Noticed Platt is being advertised as the latest guest on the Villa podcast. Probably just cynical to think he suddenly wants to acknowledge he once played for us now we are in the CL.
Hmmm, precisely my thoughts.
Links to the legend V cult hero debate elsewhere. Platt was neither of these but he was a great player.
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Noticed Platt is being advertised as the latest guest on the Villa podcast. Probably just cynical to think he suddenly wants to acknowledge he once played for us now we are in the CL.
Hmmm, precisely my thoughts.
Links to the legend V cult hero debate elsewhere. Platt was neither of these but he was a great player.
He was ....for us as he had Sid finding him all the time. I also will add to the thought that we are relevant now so he can be bothered
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Noticed Platt is being advertised as the latest guest on the Villa podcast. Probably just cynical to think he suddenly wants to acknowledge he once played for us now we are in the CL.
I will always hate him, no matter how much he praises us now or in the future.
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Noticed Platt is being advertised as the latest guest on the Villa podcast. Probably just cynical to think he suddenly wants to acknowledge he once played for us now we are in the CL.
I will always hate him, no matter how much he praises us now or in the future.
It's a fine line between love and hate isn't it?
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It's a shame it's took him so long to talk about his playing career with us but I loved him, he was a cracking footballer.
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Mcinally said Platt agreed to do the Podcast because he owed him a favour. I watched a bit of it earlier and thought it was interesting enough to tune in for the rest.
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It's a shame it's took him so long to talk about his playing career with us but I loved him, he was a cracking footballer.
I was behind the goal at ewood park when he scored on his debut.
Cracking player for us but he's generally been a big headed twat since he left .
Perhaps he's mellowing now with age and realising what this club did for him . Or perhaps not.
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Didn’t David Platt score the greatest ever England goal in a knock out stage tournament till Watkins turned up ?
Finals don’t count so Watkins has the accolade i heard.
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Where did you hear that?
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Like when Watkins was told you scored the best or greatest ever goal in a knock out match (Semi Final v Netherlands) since David Platt scored against Belgium.
In was an interview some time. But it’s one Villa player after another!
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No Villa player has scored in a shootout at a major international tournament since Southgate’s failure do so for England at Euro ’96. Ron Vlaar, Darius Vassell,Olof Mellberg and Ashley Young have all failed.
The only Villa players ever to score for their country in a shootout are David Platt v West Germany in 1990 and Tony Cascarino, who scuffed an effort into the net for the Republic of Ireland against Romania at the 1990 World Cup just three months after becoming Villa’s record signing.
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I think you've posted in the wrong thread.
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Dutch Pundit Van der Vaart on Maasten and Malen:
“I think Maatsen made the wrong choice by choosing Aston Villa. He has to play, play, play,
“He was really good at Dortmund and then he chooses England, probably more money and they are really building something up.
It’s the same with Malen. They got him for €40m, but he’s not playing either. They haven’t even registered him for the Champions League.”
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I take Van der Vaart point but Malen didn’t cost 40m euro !
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But he's talking about Maatsen. Who did.
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He's talking about both, but he's talking about Malen when he mentions the fee (assuming that's a verbatim quote).
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And did Maatsen "choose" England when he was only loaned to Dortmund by an English club, and then sold to one that met their valuation?
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Maatsen's transfer fee needs to include a valuation for Kellyman (currently injured again) who went the other way.
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There's a not to be taken too seriously article on the BBC sports website about the ten biggest clubs in the UK. We are 9th but am struggling to spot Blues or Albion anywhere! Man U top of course as the Beeb are obsessed with them.
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There's a not to be taken too seriously article on the BBC sports website about the ten biggest clubs in the UK. We are 9th but am struggling to spot Blues or Albion anywhere! Man U top of course as the Beeb are obsessed with them.
Not to be taken seriously but I'm not having Spurs or Rangers ahead of us.
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There's a not to be taken too seriously article on the BBC sports website about the ten biggest clubs in the UK. We are 9th but am struggling to spot Blues or Albion anywhere! Man U top of course as the Beeb are obsessed with them.
My ranking would probably be.
1. Manchester United
2. Liverpool
3. Celtic
4. Rangers
5. Arsenal
6. Villa / Everton
7. Spurs / Manchester City / Chelsea / Newcastle
This reflects the fact that I put more emphasis on tradition and long-term fan base when it comes what constitutes a 'big club'. I accept that others, who feel that current wealth and recent success are more relevant, will likely rank some of those in 7th higher up.
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I don't care. We're in the Champions League quarter final.
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Exactly.
And only one club above us (and including below) in the same position.
I wonder what the other Big Clubs in the UK are doing over the next few weeks.
Not playing in the CL, that’s for sure.
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On this day, top TNT pundit joins Aston Villa Football Club:
(https://i.ibb.co/Gz7cznq/Screenshot-20250328-125829-Facebook.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Gz7cznq)
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On this day, top TNT pundit joins Aston Villa Football Club:
(https://i.ibb.co/Gz7cznq/Screenshot-20250328-125829-Facebook.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Gz7cznq)
Thanks for reminding me how much I hated that NTL logo.
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Pandora, I adore ya
In Diadora, don't ignore me
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On this day, top TNT pundit joins Aston Villa Football Club:
(https://i.ibb.co/Gz7cznq/Screenshot-20250328-125829-Facebook.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Gz7cznq)
Thanks for reminding me how much I hated that NTL logo.
Didn't we get a shitload of money from NTL that we effectively pissed up the wall?
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Pandora, I adore ya
In Diadora, don't ignore me
Now do a bit of Lo! The Flat Hills of My Homeland
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On this day, top TNT pundit joins Aston Villa Football Club:
(https://i.ibb.co/Gz7cznq/Screenshot-20250328-125829-Facebook.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Gz7cznq)
Never heard Townsend ever speak of us either anything less than 100% affection. Dean Saunders too.
Same as .
Unlike alan smith (alleged villa fan) who seems to harbor a weird grudge against us whenever he does our games.
On pundits
I always thinking Crouchy harbours a bit of resentment rather than gratitude towards his time at Villa.
He’s respectful to an extent but of course because of his experience and his own issues of self doubt and inexperience at the level think he hasn’t resolved just how lucky he was to come to us.
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Pandora, I adore ya
In Diadora, don't ignore me
Now do a bit of Lo! The Flat Hills of My Homeland
Had to dig for a memory refresher but something like this maybe?
"Put your foot down!" Jake Westmorland barked to the minicab driver. "Take me to the nearest urban conurbation".
"Will Erdington do ya, Bab?" the cabbie suggested, generously.
It was at this point Jake ruminated upon whether East and West (Mids) could truly live in harmony...
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https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1051007096845640
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The drips and keeps me awake
In the morning, there will be a lake
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On this day, top TNT pundit joins Aston Villa Football Club:
(https://i.ibb.co/Gz7cznq/Screenshot-20250328-125829-Facebook.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Gz7cznq)
Never heard Townsend ever speak of us either anything less than 100% affection. Dean Saunders too.
Same as .
Unlike alan smith (alleged villa fan) who seems to harbor a weird grudge against us whenever he does our games.
On pundits
I always thinking Crouchy harbours a bit of resentment rather than gratitude towards his time at Villa.
He’s respectful to an extent but of course because of his experience and his own issues of self doubt and inexperience at the level think he hasn’t resolved just how lucky he was to come to us.
Can't say I have heard him comment on Villa much but I don't watch TNT much.
He did have a better time in terms of productivity at other clubs to be fair - Portsmouth, QPR, Norwich, Liverpool, Saints, Stoke. Not to mention England.
When Taylor signed him press went all - oh big man to suit Villa's long ball style under SGT. Total stereotype on every level.
He signs for Liverpool and same press is saying what a shrewd Rafa signing givig them a 'added dimension'.
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The idiot reporter on the BBC website has found it possible to reference Sheffield United's 'goal' against us, in a post about the FA Cup Semi Final.
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The idiot reporter on the BBC website has found it possible to reference Sheffield United's 'goal' against us, in a post about the FA Cup Semi Final.
What I find interesting about that still coming up is how many people can imagine how differently things might have gone for via if that goal had stood but they can't see how a goal early in the 2nd half of a match changes how the game itself goes.
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Re: Whether Crouch is resentful towards us. I watched the Crouch documentary and when it came to his Villa career, and he spoke with regret. He feels it's the only move he had that didn't work out. He said he didn't feel like he was ready for the step up and it was too much for him at the time.
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The idiot reporter on the BBC website has found it possible to reference Sheffield United's 'goal' against us, in a post about the FA Cup Semi Final.
What I find interesting about that still coming up is how many people can imagine how differently things might have gone for via if that goal had stood but they can't see how a goal early in the 2nd half of a match changes how the game itself goes.
When these so-called pundits/experts bring up the 'goal that never was' and 'poor old Sheffield United' someone should give them a gentle reminder of the alleged illegal transfer of Carlos Tevez to Manchester United which did actually have a devastating effect on SU as his goals contributed to their ultimate relegation. Copy Sheffield United.
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Re: Whether Crouch is resentful towards us. I watched the Crouch documentary and when it came to his Villa career, and he spoke with regret. He feels it's the only move he had that didn't work out. He said he didn't feel like he was ready for the step up and it was too much for him at the time.
Yeah, he isn't resentful at all. Anyone who isn't overtly spunking over the Villa tends to get a bit of criticism.
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Re: Whether Crouch is resentful towards us. I watched the Crouch documentary and when it came to his Villa career, and he spoke with regret. He feels it's the only move he had that didn't work out. He said he didn't feel like he was ready for the step up and it was too much for him at the time.
Yeh I don't get that either. He's always spoken well about us. That we essentially gave up on him is on us, because he went on to have a superb post Villa career.
Yeah, he isn't resentful at all. Anyone who isn't overtly spunking over the Villa tends to get a bit of criticism.
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Re: Whether Crouch is resentful towards us. I watched the Crouch documentary and when it came to his Villa career, and he spoke with regret. He feels it's the only move he had that didn't work out. He said he didn't feel like he was ready for the step up and it was too much for him at the time.
Yeh I don't get that either. He's always spoken well about us. That we essentially gave up on him is on us, because he went on to have a superb post Villa career.
Yeah, he isn't resentful at all. Anyone who isn't overtly spunking over the Villa tends to get a bit of criticism.
I thought TV had outed himself as an alt account for edgy. Then realised he has done a massive quote-fail "fix" of copying the wrong line of text out of the original quote box and into "his own".
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Re: Whether Crouch is resentful towards us. I watched the Crouch documentary and when it came to his Villa career, and he spoke with regret. He feels it's the only move he had that didn't work out. He said he didn't feel like he was ready for the step up and it was too much for him at the time.
Yeh I don't get that either. He's always spoken well about us. That we essentially gave up on him is on us, because he went on to have a superb post Villa career.
Yeah, he isn't resentful at all. Anyone who isn't overtly spunking over the Villa tends to get a bit of criticism.
I thought TV had outed himself as an alt account for edgy. Then realised he has done a massive quote-fail "fix" of copying the wrong line of text out of the original quote box and into "his own".
I'm trying not to out myself as Prince William. It's a daily challenge to relate to you commoners.
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Marc Albrighton is doing the co comms on highlights of Wolves v West Ham . Sky Sports
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Warnock is better than most ex-pros from a punditry point of view.
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Warnock gets it, other pundits are too thick to understand what’s going on at Villa or they’re still living in the past with their tongues stuck up “big six” arses.
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Warnock gets it, other pundits are too thick to understand what’s going on at Villa or they’re still living in the past with their tongues stuck up “big six” arses.
Yeah, Warnock's probably my favourite of the current crop.
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Sky Soccer Special or whatever it's proper title is has been better than usual tonight, in that there's been some differences of opinion.
I don’t watch this one but who was doing the Villa match ?
Which ex pundit ?
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Sky Soccer Special or whatever it's proper title is has been better than usual tonight, in that there's been some differences of opinion.
I don’t watch this one but who was doing the Villa match ?
Which ex pundit ?
They’ve sunk lower than I thought if they’re employing people that are no longer even pundits.
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Sky Soccer Special or whatever it's proper title is has been better than usual tonight, in that there's been some differences of opinion.
I don’t watch this one but who was doing the Villa match ?
Which ex pundit ?
They’ve sunk lower than I thought if they’re employing people that are no longer even pundits.
Gavin Peacock, from his vestry.
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Sky Soccer Special or whatever it's proper title is has been better than usual tonight, in that there's been some differences of opinion.
I don’t watch this one but who was doing the Villa match ?
Which ex pundit ?
Georgie Best. Reanimated.
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Sky Soccer Special or whatever it's proper title is has been better than usual tonight, in that there's been some differences of opinion.
I don’t watch this one but who was doing the Villa match ?
Which ex pundit ?
They’ve sunk lower than I thought if they’re employing people that are no longer even pundits.
Why are we discussing ex-pundits in the pundits thread? This place has gone to the dogs.
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Sky Soccer Special or whatever it's proper title is has been better than usual tonight, in that there's been some differences of opinion.
I don’t watch this one but who was doing the Villa match ?
Which ex pundit ?
Georgie Best. Reanimated.
The one I watched was Le Tissier…Brighton won 4-0
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Pundits on Aston Villa v Forest
Jamie Carragher Win 2-1
Villa vs Forest is a huge game for both, but I think home advantage will just edge it for Villa.
Chris Sutton Draw 1-1
Nottingham Forest are flying, but so are Aston Villa - they have now won six on the spin in all competitions.
Forest nicked the points late on at the City Ground when Villa went there in December, coming from 1-0 down after 87 minutes to win it in stoppage time.
This will be just as close, and I cannot really call a winner.
Even if they do drop points here, I am still confident Forest will finish in the Champions League places.
We saw again when they beat Manchester United on Tuesday that they are not bothered about possession because of their threat on the break and Anthony Elanga's winner in that game was one of my favourite goals of the season.
The way he took it was really intelligent, because he had the option to pop the ball out to the left but the United back-line kept backing off, and he just kept on going. His finish was devastating too and, overall, it reminded me of me in my pomp with the way I used to drive up the pitch.
It's going to be harder for Aston Villa to make the top five, because they still have the Champions League and FA Cup to think about, but they are on a great run and, at the moment, they have the depth in the squad they need even if they make changes here before they face Paris-St Germain next week.
I don't think Villa boss Unai Emery will prioritise any of the three competitions. They are in them all, so he will go for it in all three - and so he should.
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The way he took it was really intelligent, because he had the option to pop the ball out to the left but the United back-line kept backing off, and he just kept on going. His finish was devastating too and, overall, it reminded me of me in my pomp with the way I used to drive up the pitch.
Sure thinks a lot of himself, doesn't he.
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The way he took it was really intelligent, because he had the option to pop the ball out to the left but the United back-line kept backing off, and he just kept on going. His finish was devastating too and, overall, it reminded me of me in my pomp with the way I used to drive up the pitch.
Sure thinks a lot of himself, doesn't he.
I can only think this is self deprecation from Sutton because I don’t remember that ability in him
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I think he's being ironic, he calls himself "villa legend" after what 1 goal in 7 matches?
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Yeah, he's always bigging himself up in the name of bantz especially with his brother in arms, Gobby Cabbage.
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In the Guardian Premier League team news: predicted lineups for the weekend they don’t list Morgan Rogers anywhere as part of the squad even on the doubtful or injured list, let alone naming him in the starting 11. Is this an oversight? That sort of neglect is shocking
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/apr/04/premier-league-team-news-predicted-lineups
not only that but Subs from list: Gauci, Nedeljkovic and Buendía
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To offset pundit negativity, there was a minute or so in the latest Totally Football podcast waxing lyrical about Villa park.
“Villa Park’s gotta be the best ground in the country…”
“I think full, it’s in the top 5 in the country”
“A beautiful thing to look at”
VP bit starts at ~40:25
(https://public.overcast-cdn.com/art/2447892?v279)
https://overcast.fm/+AAlWhR9DhpY/40:10
(https://overcast.fm/+AAlWhR9DhpY/40:10)
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SKY sports yesterday morning- saying that if Arsenal beat Madrid, then PSG and Barcelona in the final that will be the best ever win by an English team in the champions league
So according to them we may as well not play the game on Tuesday as we are already out of the competition.
There is just no respect for us at all!
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I think he's being ironic, he calls himself "villa legend" after what 1 goal in 7 matches?
Yes he is being ironic. He does it on Monday Night show on 5live.
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To offset pundit negativity, there was a minute or so in the latest Totally Football podcast waxing lyrical about Villa park.
“Villa Park’s gotta be the best ground in the country…”
“I think full, it’s in the top 5 in the country”
“A beautiful thing to look at”
Makes a change. They really seem to begrudge talking about us on that podcast. We often only get 30 seconds of chat at most and a few times just had the score read out and that's it. Been on the verge of giving up on it.
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SKY sports yesterday morning- saying that if Arsenal beat Madrid, then PSG and Barcelona in the final that will be the best ever win by an English team in the champions league
So according to them we may as well not play the game on Tuesday as we are already out of the competition.
There is just no respect for us at all!
Tbf, we're rank outsiders after the first leg even among Villa fans.
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(https://i.ibb.co/6RFfd9FN/IMG-0782.jpg) (https://ibb.co/6RFfd9FN)
Nice lead story on the BBC on the day an English club plays a CL quarter final.
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To offset pundit negativity, there was a minute or so in the latest Totally Football podcast waxing lyrical about Villa park.
“Villa Park’s gotta be the best ground in the country…”
“I think full, it’s in the top 5 in the country”
“A beautiful thing to look at”
He also mentioned the game vs Bayern as the best atmosphere this season. Good podcast that, on my regular listen list.
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"Meanwhile at Southampton, Aston Villa, a team currently knocking on more doors than a couple of Jehovah’s Witnesses, maintained their hopes of making the top five with the obligatory win over Southampton."
Nice line from the Grauniad's Football Daily.
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(https://i.ibb.co/6RFfd9FN/IMG-0782.jpg) (https://ibb.co/6RFfd9FN)
Nice lead story on the BBC on the day an English club plays a CL quarter final.
There's an article below that accusing Frederick Rinder of selling dodgy Firesticks. If we lose tonight we'll know who to blame, and it won't be our poor lambs on the pitch.
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(https://i.ibb.co/6RFfd9FN/IMG-0782.jpg) (https://ibb.co/6RFfd9FN)
Nice lead story on the BBC on the day an English club plays a CL quarter final.
There's an article below that accusing Frederick Rinder of selling dodgy Firesticks. If we lose tonight we'll know who to blame, and it won't be our poor lambs on the pitch.
Haha! I get that this doesn't bother some of you like it does me, and I know I should be too old to care.
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Rooney Twathead - Rashofrd only wants to play for Manchester United.
Contrast that Total Embarrassment of a Pundit to Clarence Seedorf.
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All three others were decent, but then it was Rooney. Prime really need to think about that money. Gabby's look at the camera said it all and she has had some right twats with her before.
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Seedorf really good
Young good
Sturridge OK
Rooney - CRAP
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Rooney Twathead - Rashofrd only wants to play for Manchester United.
Contrast that Total Embarrassment of a Pundit to Clarence Seedorf.
Didn't hear the comments, but I thought Man Utd fans', manager's and pundits' whole problem was that he *didn't* want to play for Man Utd?
Hence being 'lazy', a gobshite, not trying in training etc?
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Rooney totally blues
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Rooney totally blues
When he was hired by them I couldn't even be bothered to take the piss out the utter fucking stupidity of appointment to my Blues friends.
They Knew.
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I thought Wazza was the most interesting of the four tbh! Ashley is boring. Sturridge, a bit..off the cuff and Seedorf - a "macro man" - probably couldn't name more than a handful of our players.
Rooney did give us credit but it's hard to argue with his point that we fcuked ourselves in the first half.
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I generally avoid 5Live breakfast these days. Jolly Hockey Sticks Rugby Union Fan Hag Rachael Burden and that Glory Hunting tit Edwards have made patronising the listener into an art form with their "playschool approach".
However, I know they review the football from the night before with a fan (s) on the line so tuned in at the usual time. We were afforded 3 minutes, Edwards confessed to not actually watching the game earlier, there was no discussion with a fan but they did play a clip of the pundits from last night. No mention of the comeback only a bit about the Manager making the wrong call in taking Rashford off, then a txt was read out making precisely the same point before they swiftly moved on to Woolwich.
Cheers.
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^ Utter wankers
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I generally avoid 5Live breakfast these days. Jolly Hockey Sticks Rugby Union Fan Hag Rachael Burden and that Glory Hunting tit Edwards have made patronising the listener into an art form with their "playschool approach".
However, I know they review the football from the night before with a fan (s) on the line so tuned in at the usual time. We were afforded 3 minutes, Edwards confessed to not actually watching the game earlier, there was no discussion with a fan but they did play a clip of the pundits from last night. No mention of the comeback only a bit about the Manager making the wrong call in taking Rashford off, then a txt was read out making precisely the same point before they swiftly moved on to Woolwich.
Cheers.
My wife annoyingly listens to it in the car it was on when I got in last night to go to the game last night. They were talking excitedly about PSG to a French journalist and the BBC host said "I know it's been some time since they won it". He was taking about PSG.
Afte
I
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It was when they were going on about Rashford in the context of going back to United that I turned off. It seems if we want Rashford, we have to accept the circus that comes with him.
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I think if he signed for us permanently the circus would die down a bit. He's still tied to the clowns in Manchester, so they're going to keep talking about him. If that connection was gone, half the stories would die with it.
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It was when they were going on about Rashford in the context of going back to United that I turned off. It seems if we want Rashford, we have to accept the circus that comes with him.
They all seemed to ignore the fact that we have agreed a fee for him, and all were assuming that it was a forgone conclusion that at the end of the season a deal would have to be struck and United had the final say (Sturridge in particular said it more than once that it was up to Utd what happened next).
My guess is that if we get Champions League, he'll sign.
We really need Man U knocked out of Europe soon, so they don't get into the Champions League that way. Would be a sickener to see them playing at that level next year having been so tremendously shite for a couple of years now.
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You'd assume they'd get roundly beaten at that level unless they have some kind of miracle happen over the summer.
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We really need Man U knocked out of Europe soon, so they don't get into the Champions League that way. Would be a sickener to see them playing at that level next year having been so tremendously shite for a couple of years now.
It would, but don't forget - it's only a year since they were last in it, when they stunk the place out and finished bottom of their group.
So while it would obviously be galling, it wouldn't fix any of their structural problems.
Losing finalists would be ideal so all their focus is on that on the last day of the league season.
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You'd assume they'd get roundly beaten at that level unless they have some kind of miracle happen over the summer.
Can you imagine what that lot we played last night would do to their defence?
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The current Man United would comfortably finish in the bottom 8 of the league phase. They are shocking.
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We really need Man U knocked out of Europe soon, so they don't get into the Champions League that way. Would be a sickener to see them playing at that level next year having been so tremendously shite for a couple of years now.
It would, but don't forget - it's only a year since they were last in it, when they stunk the place out and finished bottom of their group.
So while it would obviously be galling, it wouldn't fix any of their structural problems.
Losing finalists would be ideal so all their focus is on that on the last day of the league season.
I don't want them to avoid being in it because I think they'd do well, I don't want them in it because it gives them scope to sign and attract better players. And it gives them money. Players that will join a Man Utd side that's in the Champions League are better than the players would join them if they weren't.
It's the same reason I want Forest to take one of the league CL places (assuming we get one of them). It's one less "rich" club with a Champions League carrot to dangle in front of prospective players. It's another year where we can close the commercial gap and start playing them on a level-ish financial playing field.
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I don't want them to avoid being in it because I think they'd do well, I don't want them in it because it gives them scope to sign and attract better players. And it gives them money. Players that will join a Man Utd side that's in the Champions League are better than the players would join them if they weren't.
Last time they qualified for the Champions League they spent £200m on Onana, Mount and Hoilund, and broke them all.
They'll break the new toys they sign this summer too, regardless of which competitions they're playing in.
I don't want them in it either, but if they are, it's not going to fix them.
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I don't want them to avoid being in it because I think they'd do well, I don't want them in it because it gives them scope to sign and attract better players. And it gives them money. Players that will join a Man Utd side that's in the Champions League are better than the players would join them if they weren't.
Last time they qualified for the Champions League they spent £200m on Onana, Mount and Hoilund, and broke them all.
They'll break the new toys they sign this summer too, regardless of which competitions they're playing in.
I don't want them in it either, but if they are, it's not going to fix them.
That's a good point. Buying the latest top scorer in Holland/Denmark/Portugal isn't what they need. They need major surgery and a few seasons to attune to their new prosthetic.
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I generally avoid 5Live breakfast these days. Jolly Hockey Sticks Rugby Union Fan Hag Rachael Burden and that Glory Hunting tit Edwards have made patronising the listener into an art form with their "playschool approach".
However, I know they review the football from the night before with a fan (s) on the line so tuned in at the usual time. We were afforded 3 minutes, Edwards confessed to not actually watching the game earlier, there was no discussion with a fan but they did play a clip of the pundits from last night. No mention of the comeback only a bit about the Manager making the wrong call in taking Rashford off, then a txt was read out making precisely the same point before they swiftly moved on to Woolwich.
Cheers.
Huw Edwards is back?
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I don't want them to avoid being in it because I think they'd do well, I don't want them in it because it gives them scope to sign and attract better players. And it gives them money. Players that will join a Man Utd side that's in the Champions League are better than the players would join them if they weren't.
Last time they qualified for the Champions League they spent £200m on Onana, Mount and Hoilund, and broke them all.
They'll break the new toys they sign this summer too, regardless of which competitions they're playing in.
I don't want them in it either, but if they are, it's not going to fix them.
It gives them a slim chance of improving though. They're currently drowning and qualifying for the CL would at least give them a rubber ring, whereas missing out again would be like throwing them an anvil.
I want those fuckers to keep sinking until they hit that seabed, even then that won't be far enough.
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The sky youtubers picking their Team of the season but only one player per club (apart from one Wildcards).
Tielemans and Rogers were positional options.
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https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/apr/21/aston-villa-champions-league
Nothing much to be learned if you're a Villa fan but some interesting thoughts on Villa from Jonathan Wilson in The Guardian.
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I don't want them to avoid being in it because I think they'd do well, I don't want them in it because it gives them scope to sign and attract better players. And it gives them money. Players that will join a Man Utd side that's in the Champions League are better than the players would join them if they weren't.
Last time they qualified for the Champions League they spent £200m on Onana, Mount and Hoilund, and broke them all.
They'll break the new toys they sign this summer too, regardless of which competitions they're playing in.
I don't want them in it either, but if they are, it's not going to fix them.
That's a good point. Buying the latest top scorer in Holland/Denmark/Portugal isn't what they need. They need major surgery and a few seasons to attune to their new prosthetic.
Even that would be pointless with their current owners but why would they sell when they bought the club for a few million of their own money and loaned the rest, then used the club revenue to pay off their loan. The club now is valued in the billions and probably the best bit of business by anybody, anywhere in the last 20 years.
Record breaking commercial revenue goes to pay off the interest on the loan whilst the team haven't a pot to piss in. You almost feel sorry for their fans. Almost. Or put another way, if it had to happen to one club, I'm happy it's them.
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I wouldn't even feel sorry for their ''fans'' if someone more vindictive than me took over, took a shit on the badge in the centre circle, threw Ferguson off the the leaking roof and unveiled a David Moyes hugging Fellaini statue outside of ground. I hate them, they're cheats, have been given every advantage possible both on and off the pitch and watching them lose is one of my pleasures in life.
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Bilbao are the great hope in that competition. Don’t want either man Utd or spurs to get anything. Happy gor spurs to win tonight mind.
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Troy Deeney has Tielemans and Watkins in this team of the week with Unai manager.
Spoils it all though by including Henderson from CP in goal (didn't have a save to make from the highlights I saw) and the words.
"He's had a big role in the revival at Palace in recent weeks."
The same Palace that let in 10 goals in the previous two matches.
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Team of the week is nothing more than page filler. It’s lazy and inaccurate, Palace’s revival being down to Henderson when he’s shipping goals at a rate of knots a case in point.
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I wouldn't even feel sorry for their ''fans'' if someone more vindictive than me took over, took a shit on the badge in the centre circle, threw Ferguson off the the leaking roof and unveiled a David Moyes hugging Fellaini statue outside of ground. I hate them, they're cheats, have been given every advantage possible both on and off the pitch and watching them lose is one of my pleasures in life.
The and their shit neighbours were a bunch of match fixing, illegal payment tossers from way back.
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This made a refreshing change -
Aston Villa should be Premier League title contenders next season
BIRMINGHAM — When you say it out loud it sounds a bit wild but when you think about it, it really isn’t: Aston Villa should be Premier League title contenders next season.
Even the most ardent Villa supporter may raise an eyebrow at that statement, but why?
Days after beating PSG in the Champions League quarterfinal second leg (bowing out narrowly 5-4 on aggregate) they battered fellow Champions League chasers Newcastle 4-1. And they could have scored way more. The confidence and positivity is flowing at Villa Park as they head to Manchester City on Tuesday (watch live, 3pm ET on USA and online via NBC.com) in a key game in the crowded race for Champions League qualification.
Pro Soccer Talk asked the scorer of the go-ahead goal against Newcastle, Ian Maatsen, if this Villa squad still have plenty more left to give and to achieve.
“Yes, of course. I think we’ve got a strong team, we’ve got exceptional players, and everyone can show their part,” Maatsen said. “We’re not finished yet, so we have to keep going. There are a few games more. It’s very important, so hopefully we can finish strong to get to Europe next season.”
Are the stars aligning for a Villa title challenge in 2025-26?
As for next season, it could be good timing for Villa to mount a title charge. Think about it. It all adds up.
They have ambitious and wealthy owners. They have one of the best tacticians in world football in Unai Emery orchestrating it all. Famed sporting director Monchi working his magic in the transfer market to build an exceptional squad. When you stroll around Villa Park, everything off the pitch screams of a team who should be challenging for the title consistently.
This notion of Villa being title contenders shouldn’t be a ‘hot take’ because just look at their squad. Look at their infrastructure. Open your eyes and look at everything and the direction it’s heading in.
Youngster Morgan Rogers is a rising star as a playmaker. Boubacar Kamara, Youri Tielemans and John McGinn dominate midfield. Ollie Watkins is among the best forwards in the Premier League. They have the best goalkeeper on the planet, according to FIFA’s awards in the last two years, in Emiliano Martinez. Their defense is solid and full of internationals. Their entire team is full of internationals and the level doesn’t drop when subs come on. They added the incredible quality of Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio on loan in January.
Fitness key as deep squad shows quality
Add in that they now have a fully-fit squad for the first time this season, we are seeing what this deep Villa squad is truly capable of. Imagine if they have more luck with injuries next season?
“Always in my career as a coach when I performed better is when I had players who are available and two players for each position, more or less, playing and performing well,” Emery said. “Now we are in this moment, our momentum is the squad of players momentum. Not only 11 players. They are showing it. It is necessary to have players ready to play. Today was the first time this season I needed to take some players out of the squad because every player was available. I told the players, it’s the first time. It’s good for me to take this decision but I want a moment like that with the players available and ready to play and performing in our demands.”
In this late Champions League push and their run to the FA Cup semifinals, everything is trending in the right direction for the end of this season and heading into the next. Villa’s unexpected run to the Champions League quarterfinals seems to have given this Villa squad the last little bit of belief they needed to feel like they truly belong at the top. They’ve broken through their glass ceiling.
Many of their key players are entering their prime. Watkins, McGinn, Martinez, Konsa, Tielemans are all ready to win now. Unlike most of the Premier League’s elite, a rebuild isn’t needed at Villa. They are a couple of careful, and costly, summer additions away from being legit title contenders.
After winning five league games on the spin and 10 of their last 11 in all competitions, are Villa in their best form of the season right now?
“Yes,” Emery said. “Recovering some players getting injured, now is very important how we can use different players in different matches, the starting 11 players and the subs. Because one problem we had was that we had some players injured, not fit, we have some players not getting the level we needed. Of course in January were demanding to try to get some players to join to give us more level to set and to try to get. We are showing we are in this way. But there is still work to do, still five matches to play in the Premier League. Still the objective we have as well and challenge in the FA Cup. But we are really happy and so, so demanding with the players every day to try to be focused on each match.”
Villa, Emery in a hurry to make the most of their moment
There is a hunger, bordering on annoyance, at Villa.
Their players are defiant to prove they belong with the big boys and be in Champions League year in, year out. Emery demands his players are fuming if they aren’t playing. Emery smiled when asked about Watkins revealing how upset he was to not start in the recent Champions League quarterfinals. He loves that drive, that spirit to prove everyone wrong. He has it as a coach and the squad he assembles has it too.
There is huge appetite at Villa to enter the elite, something they haven’t done for decades, and stay there. And why can’t they do something special next season and win it all? Or at least be in the conversation?
Will Liverpool have another exceptional season and can they spend big in the areas where they clearly need to strengthen? Can Arsenal strengthen and find the final few pieces of the jigsaw they need to finally win the title? What is going to happen with new-look Manchester City on and off the pitch? Will other heavyweights like Chelsea, Tottenham and Man United get their acts together as they continue lengthy rebuilds? Are Newcastle, like Villa, perhaps being overlooked for a title challenge?
While we contemplate all of this Villa are in the background, having already built an incredibly balanced and deep squad. Emery now resembles the master conductor who looks down at his perfectly constructed, and fully-fit, orchestra with steely eyes while waving his hands grandly a la Fantasia. He knows this is their time.
When you think about it again, the only teams who should have bigger title hopes than Villa heading into next season are Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City.
As Villa head to City on Tuesday in a massive clash in the scrap for Champions League qualification, how are they feeling?
“It [the win against Newcastle] gives us a lot of confidence of course, but away from home it’s always tough to play, especially against Manchester City. They’re also a top team that wants to compete for Europe and we want to do the same. We have to be prepared, but also the focus is in our hands. We know what we’re capable of and we go there and show character and show energy that we can win there as well,” Maatsen said.
“I think at home, like I said, we are feeling very strong, comfortable, we know the fans are giving such energy and transmit it to us. If we play like this away from home it’s always difficult but we’ve got the squad, we’ve got the belief and the confidence that we can perform away against big teams.”
Villa should now be considered as one of the big teams. It’s their final step to take in this remarkable rebuild orchestrated by Emery.
They should be Premier League title contenders next season. If they’re not then quite frankly it would be disappointing.
- NBC Sports